Happy Birthday (2018)

STORY
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A 17-year story in the making (don't take it literally) with a very grim and dark start that anyone can be easily be turned off. But as you progress through the series, you will realize that it is less about the action taken by Tharnnam, but rather the effect it left for the people around her. It branches out to the other characters that was once touched by Tharnnam and her "never-met-younger-brother".

The approach of the taboo of suicide is unique and doesn't really focus on the ugly side of but rather humanizes what Tharnnam went through both the good and bad. You will ask "why", "what happened" a lot! But no worries, the writing is superb and was able to answer all of those that you will feel relieve after you finished the series. Yes, there are also a lot of heart-wrenching, tear-jerking moments, but, I tell you, all those tears will not be wasted.

You might think that this series is a love drama. Not entirely true. Yes, it may be the main reason why the whole story started, but it will take you for ride in the dynamics of family relationships and sacrifices we make may it for love, friendship or for a family member.

While Tonmai is the only selfless person in the series, which he was tempted at one point to be not, is able to stay consistent with his personality. And I almost forget Mr. Tai. He did everything for Tharnnam in his own capacity. But the rest, Tharnnam, Chet, On, Pana and Tee was selfish at one point in their own respective way. The people around Tonmai is shrouded with lies and secrets. It took Tonmai and Tharnnam's collective effort to shed those layers and at the end is a very very beautiful set of characters that you will forget that once in the series, you might have dislike him and/or her. The revelations will help each character's growth from being one-dimensional to having another side or face. that makes the characters matured in their own respective ways.

The plot has no sharp turns that will leave you dumbfounded. It is constant increasing with revelations here and there but those are integral part of the story, the questions you might have in your minds, and I promise, you will appreciative every single one of them after they are answered.

ACTOR/CAST
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Pluem is definitely carries the series in the sense that he is the center of it all with Mild as the catalyst for the other cast members to interact with each other.

Pluem with his demeanor as cute, vulnerable, non-confronting looks fits perfectly for his character as Tonmai as the one that is the most emotionally beaten up in this series. His crying scenes are impeccable. Imagine crying while delivering your lines, relaying the emotion you want to project and sniffling while he do those! Always, always, that when he starts to cry, my eyes become watery too.

Mild as Tharnnam, comparing her role as Sandee in Kiss Me Again is totally a different take on her looks and acting. And seeing the trailer in the upcoming "3 Will Be Free", surely, her looks and acting are noteworthy. In KMA, you can see her as the bossy type girl around her friends and in 3 Will Be Free, she takes a role that is a different "boss". Her being Tharnnam is totally on a different league which she performs quite amazingly too!

All the support characters are effective in their respective roles. From their reactions to facial expressions is a perfect match to what he/she is saying at the time. There was no cringe-worthy scene that you will be left like "Err, i think she/he could have acted this way instead", or am I just too consumed with what is happening while I was watching? I could see Chimon (young Pana), when becomes older is the old Pana here. I guess with the lips and eyes. And that is what I call a great casting.

SONG
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The opening musical score for each episode, though the sad version/tune of "Happy Birthday", sets the mood in what you are about to watch.

The song played in the walkman is Kong's song in SOTUS, brings back memories too.

Episode 13, the emotinally heaviest episode with a number of songs will take your watching experience into a different level without realizing it, your tears are falling.

REWATCH VALUE
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This is what I find hard for series that start with a big mystery at the beginning; and once the mystery is solved, there is no real value in watching it again since you know how the story will unfold. But if you want to relive or perhaps shed a couple of tears, you will definitely will watch this again, and very soon!

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The best Thai TV series ever made!!!

Each episode was perfectly executed by the director. This is a very interesting Thai serial, supported with actors and actresses from various age. Their acting is so natural and professional. When it first broadcast, no subtitle and after few days, the English subtitle is added. When watching this show, be prepared for the unexpected plot twist and keep your tissue close by. You will need it anytime. Bravo!!!

At the end of every episode, the trailer is going to make you crazy as audience are left with high curiosity as what would happen next. I think, this project is so captivating and audience are pampered to the max.

As for me, I have to be extremely patience while waiting for the next episode every week, the story makes me feel like want to turn the globe faster to get to the next story line.

I can't praise them high enough for such a good job.

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Heart-Wrenching Effects of Suicide on Your Loved Ones

I do not watch a lot of these types of dramas where it deals with your psyche, death, suicide, etc. Anything that may just feel heavy, I can do in a 2-hour movie, but never in a drama. I do not know what compelled me to watch this drama, but it was such a beautiful drama. I have never cried like this since I watched Iljimae. Also, I watched this drama approximately 1.5 years ago, so the details and review may not be as accurate as what I recall or felt. I will try to spoil as little as possible since there are not many episodes.

STORY (spoilers from episode one)
As we know, this is about Tonmai seeing his dead sister who has committed suicide. From the get-go, we see Thannam commit suicide and Tonmai is born. 17 years later, Tonmai is a grown teenager and he has yet to celebrate his birthdays. At 17 years old, he finally gets to celebrate his first birthday. He has a loving mother and a father who is present but emotionally distant. With much thought from his dad, he receives his sister’s old room that has been locked up for 17 years. The story starts to unravel when Tonmai starts to see Thannam. When her story gets told, we start to see what led to her suicide and how suicide affected everyone around her. Through this supernatural experience, all the characters finally receive some sort of closure that they have been seeking.

Any form of relationships that you have created in life is an important steppingstone. Your friends, family, teachers, neighbors, etc. They are all involved with you and how your life can proceed in one way or another. I think a good takeaway from the drama is to love fully, let go of your grudges/negativity, and communicate efficiently so that you have no regrets.

ACTING/CAST/CHARACTERS (minor spoilers)
PLUEM as Tonmai was wonderful. This was the first of his work that I have seen him in. Tonmai was left out in the dark about the past and his father does not treat him with affection. Even though his mother loves him, he finally gets to experience a happy and loving relationship when Thannam shows up in his life. I loved the supernatural aspect of this show and how Thanam was able to use his body. It made me laugh and cry so much!

PUSH was phenomenal, as always. I admit I came into this show because of Push without expecting much from the plotline. We see his struggle getting over Thannam’s death and the plot twist on his character surprised me.

MILD was also a new actress for me. She is so cute, pretty, and her acting fits her role as the ball of sunshine so well. I was not surprised that she uses her smile to hide her depression and hardships. Her character was the most pitiful one for me. As a young girl, it must be so hard for her character to go through so much. She always felt like she was not wanted and so she went to the one place where she would be. I never understood why she would choose the lake (she did explain) but after experiencing Thailand myself, I found that the water is warm. She was seeking warmth and so she chooses to end her life in a place where she could feel the warmth. That just broke my heart even more.

Honorable mentions to the other casts and the characters they fulfilled: CHAYT, ORN, and UNCLE TAI

MUSIC
I do not recall the music being much of an add on to the drama. I was more focused on the storyline and the acting.

RE-WATCH VALUE
Yes, I would re-watch this. At one point in the drama, it felt a tad drawn out, like one episode drawn out. However, I think the storyline was well written and to the point.

OVERALL
If you are planning to watch this, get a box of tissues and your cry face ready! If you have already watched it, let me know what your favorite scenes were! I can still vividly recall all of my favorite scenes.

Before you leave, if you are in the United States and you or someone you know is suicidal, call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

If you just want someone to talk to about anything, you can feel free to send me a message. I am not an expert, but if you need a friend, then I am here! I am quite introverted, and I am not so good at talking, but I’m a great listener!

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The way this drama was filmed and how the story was told is what makes me rate it 10/10. This story deals with depression and suicide. It focuses on family problems and how badly it impacts the kid. I loved how the series doesn't focus just on the love story, it's deeper than that, the family issues that was highlighted in this story is really real and it shows the effects of suicide on the people who are still alive. After suicide the ones who suffer the most are the loved ones. The depression goes in a cycle.
Now the story was written in such a good way. The audience is faced with many questions and confusion about Thannam's death. We're set to believe that Thannam is from a sweet loving family and is about to get a little brother and she's also in a happy relationship so why in the world did she commit suicide, it's all up to us to guess and predict. As each episode went on, a lie gets unraveled and that makes the series so interesting to watch, I couldn't stop watching. All the set up that we were supposed to believe all turn out to be lies. Thannam suffered too much and couldn't handle it anymore. Her story is so devastating. I remember the scene where she meets Tee at his gate and he asked her where she was going and she said she was visiting her dad's house, this made me so confused because why would she be visiting her own home. Everything made sense when the truth gets unraveled. The happy Thannam was all fake. She wasn't from a loving family, the little brother was just her half brother and her relationship was toxic. When we come to know the truth we realize how much pain Thannam had to endure. It wasn't just Tee who caused her to commit suicide, it was everyone around her, everyone she knew and loved. Everyone from her mom, dad, uncle tai, to Tee were selfish at one point and ends up hurting her badly. One line that pained me was when she told Tonmai that being in the water that night was warmer than being in this world. The most important relationship in this series is the brother sister love between Tonmai and Thannam. His sister was the first present he's ever received in this world and Tonmai was the only person who can help Thannam. The closure that everyone gets in the end is the best ending I could ever ask for. Thannam is finally free and the people she loved is strong enough to move on from her death and Tonmai is finally able to feel real happiness. Grab your tissues cause this ones a real tearjerker.

Okay but I hated Tee. He became really irrelevant and in my opinion he doesn't love Thannam. Their relationship started from lust, he never truly loved Thannam and didn't even care for her till she committed suicide. When he said he loved Thannam after she died, it was guilt playing him. Even after the ending I still don't think that he loved her.

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Great start till it takes a turn to the snooz fest

This was just soooo good until they started healing and then it just became a never ending flow of tears (not mine) and slow mo conversations to the sound of emotional music that did not seem to end...

But to the good stuff!

The leads, all three are fun to watch and have great dynamics.. did a good jobb portraying the different emotions and types of relationships. I especially loved the long lost brother sister bickering, fun, playfulness. But also the friendships,

The parents here are awful, in an entertaining love to hate type of way, the onely remotely competent parent figure in this whole drama are those not connected by DNA. No Wait there is a single mother here who is deffinetly motherhood goes too but she does not really have much to do with the leads and has way to title screen time.

The way the story unfolds is really good, it delivers some pretty decent twists, and show the whole human behind the suicide. A complex web of emotions, circumstances and of course pain, done right. I could relate to many of the characters on many levels. And would say this is one of the better portrayals of the subject even though it does have some iffy parts as well. However seeing it is a delicate subject that is to be expected.

I also love the way the past relationships unfold with all the complexity they give...

So the first 9 episodes or so would have easily gotten 9,5 stars, if only it did not turn awkward and then all healing on me... taking away all the fun, bitterness, intrigues and suspense I was enjoing so much... making me want to forward scenes and wondering if it will ever end...

There are no less than 2 really cute dogs, nice cinematography from time to time too. A bunch of plot holes and situations that make no sence att all too...

So episode 1-9 9,5stars
episodes 10-13- 6 stars..
= 8 stars. but If you love healing then you are sure to love this, if you don't I suggest you just watch the first 9 episodes and skim the rest or ask someone about those last 4 episodes...

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I just found my favorite thai drama! It will be so difficult to any other to surpass Happy Birthday!
Incredible writting, each detail was perfectly written with care. The director knew how to conduct the scenes and put so many emotions on it.
Unbelievable cast too. Specially Mild, who robbed everysingle scene she was in! But she wasn't the one, she was supported by a pretty talented cast. I loved to watch the other side of Pluem's acting, he proved himself and I really want to watch his future works.
I felt happinnes, angry, sadness and compassion the whole drama. Also empathy for the characters.
Brilliant!

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I have watched plenty of other Thai dramas and i am wondering why this was not so popular. Every episode gives me a roller coaster of emotions. No, I am serious. I get angry at Tharnam's father, frustrated at her mother. I get "kilig" (giddy feels) on Noina and Tonmai. I fall in love with Tee and Tonmai. I laugh with Noina's mom. And here comes Tharnam who makes me cry buckets of tears almost EVERY time!

The story is also pretty excellent and every episode a cliffhanger. Good thing I watched this a year later, so i don't have to wait for subs and for the next episodes. Each story is well crafted to fall into fitting pieces at the end. And despite a ghost in the story, it is very believable. I think they have closed all important loopholes which makes it a gem among Thai dramas.

Music? I like it but i do not notice these mundane things when I watch.

As for my headline, I've been looking for groups on Facebook about this series, just to have someone to discuss this with. Looks like this was not really that popular. Come on people of Thailand and other countries. This is a must watch!

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The main male lead (Tonmai) was born on the day when his older sister (Tharmnam) committed suicide. So he never got to experience a birthday celebration in his entire life. But, on his 17th birthday, he received the very first birthday gift from his father and it was the room of his late sister. On the night of his birthday, his sister's soul appeared while he was sleeping. The next day, while fixing the light bulb in his room, Tonmai saw his sister's soul and that's where the story begins.

I will not dig into further about the details of the story because the plot twist and and the way they tell the story even made it more beautiful. So, just decide it for yourself if you are going to watch it after reading my reaction. :-)

This TV series talks about second chances that not all of us can experience, forgiveness, importance of family, the effects of our decisions towards others, relationships (romantic relationship, family, community and relationship to everyone), importance of LIFE and etc. etc... The story itself will made you think of so many what ifs but the plot twist, instead of answering your what ifs will make you ask why and what happened.

The acting skill of the casts were superb, though I'm not that surprised because I already saw them somewhere (maybe, one of the move or TV series that I've watched). Actually, one of the reason why I watched this TV series is because I know some of the casts, especially the leads. Ah, by the way, I haven't mentioned in the brief summary that the main female lead (Tharmnam) has a boyfriend who is now a superstar. He's quite famous in Thailand in real life as well.

Lesson wise, this story made an amazing job. This series suits very well to those persons who have suicidal tendencies and anxieties in life. It's a super dramatic TV series. Full of crying, but I never cried hahahaha (LIES!).

Anyways, I recommend this TV series for everyone whether you have a suicidal tendency or not because this series also talks about family which obviously all of us have. Enjoy watching. :-)

My personal rating is 8/10.

Second Chances / Is Not / For Everyone

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I usually only watch BL. But I was looking for recommendations of something with a good story and a lot of people recommended this one. I began watching and it hooked me from the very first five minutes. Usually, I would leave the drama until i twas finished--when it's not BL--then binge watch. But I couldn't help myself.

I got caught up in the first three episodes that had aired then counted down the days to the next episode every week. The storyline was amazing. Having a baby being born at the same time someone was dying, was genius. The emotion behind that had be sobbing. I know it seemed harsh and it was a hard thing to watch, but it still played out very well.

Then the life Tonmai had to live, with everyone lying to him about who he was and what happened that night and why it happened - that broke my heart

His need to feel loved and to celebrate his birthday, someone we all take for granted...and his father! OMG! I wanted to run that man over with a car.

Yes, I'm aware its a drama but they say if the character/writer can bring out strong emotions in you then they've done their jobs.

Push did a great job and he was so beautiful - another reason I kept going back week after week.

This drama was beautiful and emotional and beautiful. I was on an emotional roller coaster constantly and I loved it. I laughed and cry and yelled at my screen.

I've rewatched this drama numerous times and it's still as breath-taking as the first time I watched it.

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This is one of the most dramatic Thai lakorn I've ever watched. I think I was crying in every episode because of the touching story and of course, the acting of the cast. For me, Mild and Pluem carried the series since they really embodied their characters. I was drawn to Tonmai and Tharnnam. That is why I really felt the emotions. The story is not the typical story since there is a mystery involved. The story revolved around Tonmai and Tharnnam searching for the reason why Tharnnam killed herself. This is a must-watch but since there is a mystery involved I don't think I would rewatch this since I already know the reason. The musical score was a big plus for me since it really set the mood of this series.

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