Aom Fah Oab Din (2022)

A kitchen sink full of tropes but so fun to watch!

My Romance From Far Away was cheesy and cliched but I so enjoyed it! With a good-looking cast, lots of witty and lowbrow humor and physical comedy, as well as themes focused on life teaching and character growth, this show gave us endearing scenes that made me laugh and feel good. There were also moments that made me want to slap the characters but problems were quickly resolved. After one annoying episode, a heartwarming one would follow. Plus we get the most satisfying ending ever!

With all episodes now fully subbed in English, it is an easy and bingeable show.

The plot was nothing new - high society girl found herself in a traditional northern Thai village and ended up falling in love with the ML while experiencing some humbling personal growth. The ML also went through character growth as he overcame his feelings of insecurity about differences in status and wealth. In between, the side characters had their own enlightening experiences.

I appreciate how the show highlighted the northern Thai traditions, food and dialect. I also like that the show made fun of itself and its genre like the ML ’s father comparing him to the male leads in the old lakorns. Strong, stubborn and silent, Khunkhao, the ML often frustrated the viewers because he was slow to acknowledge and reluctant to vocalize his attraction and eventual love for the FL. The most irritating parts were when he was so naively dumb falling for the schemes of his so called ex. Just like in the old dramas LOL!

Still, Khunkhao’s actions were definitely louder than his words and ultimately just like other lakorns, we would forgive the ML for causing pain to the FL and we would cheer him on. Puen portrayed Khunkhao well except his stony gazes at times came across as being blank stares. He is just so adorable though when he smiles and I have been a fan since I watched him in Likit Haeng Jan.

Bua played our clumsy, cute, and plucky FL, Thofah. Even though I was at times annoyed at Fah’s inconsistent behavior; mostly brave and confident but also often became the whiny damsel in distress, I still rooted for her all the way because she was just so optimistic and determined. Bua looked amazing in all her outfits. In fact, a shout out to the stylist for this show since the clothes (modern and traditional) were lovely. I am not too sure about Bua’s acting. She did pull off the transition of Fah well; from the spoilt “money can solve everything” character who was used to getting her way to a more self-aware, humble and sympathetic one. However, there was something off about her expressions that sometimes made me think that her make up was overdone.

Together, Khunkhao and Fah made the romance come alive so enjoyably that it kept me coming back for the next episodes. Apart from our main couple, there were a 2nd couple and a potential 3rd couple. The relationships may have developed differently for these other couples, but their path to being together was also a fun watch. The supporting cast, especially Khunkhao’s parents, and his wingmen In and Jan also deserved credit for adding flavor to the story. Khunkhao’s father, Uncle Taeng has got to be one of everyone’s favorite characters since he was so wise, kind and patient, and was singularly responsible for making our leads reflect and progress.

The soundtrack list was short but memorable, and by that, I mean the songs were effective in evoking memories of the scenes for me. I like the opening song, and it reflected the lighthearted and fun tone throughout the show. For posterity, I included the song list at the end of this review.

Overall, I do recommend that you try out this show. Whether you need to cure bad-day blues or just a distraction, adding this series to your watch list might do the trick!

Songs featured:

รักได้รึเปล่า Ost.อ้อมฟ้าโอบดิน | ว่าน ธนกฤต - Wan Thanakrit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY0-4LckhXM
https://open.spotify.com/track/6tyYaFbNh5HeA6Xl3EryZr

เหตุผลที่ยังหายใจ (Still) - Tan Liptapallop x Tookta Jamaporn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxsk2yckAfY
https://open.spotify.com/track/22uJiJNMY6rJSaeRTbQi0o?si=Xy-1qXWGStu7ikPv2hmMHQ

คำตอบของทุกอย่าง - No One Else
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxx-6vEGTHM
https://open.spotify.com/track/1SmNutlpKCFi2qEspdk5EJ

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Has a Very Very Good Start and Keeps Getting Better with Each Episode!

(This review will be edited as the story progresses)

1. FIRST/EARLY IMPRESSIONS:

I don’t like Bua’s (the FL actress) previous dramas even though they’re popular (e.g. “Praomook”) so before starting this one, I was sceptical at first.

And I’m not familiar with the ML actor, never seen him before. But oh my, he’s like a FREAKING hawty! He’s one of eye candies in this drama, along with Bua and the actor who plays as her brother.

But one thing that made me jump straight into EP1 is my love for the plot involving the romance between a main character from the city & their future love interest from the countryside! E.g. “To Me, It’s Simply You”, my all-time favourite Thai drama, number 1 on my favourite lakorn list! :P

So I pushed aside my initial sceptical feelings and jumped straight into EP1, and I never regret my decision ever since. It’s so good that I wish I could travel in time to the future just so I could watch all episodes. So yeah, the only thing I regret is that I started watching it too early. :(

2. THE PLOT:

So far, so so so good! I love how light it is, and fresh, with less cliché scenes.

I love it. It has originality. It feels fresh. Not that cliché, IMO. I like that sometimes they almost gave us cliché scenes, but they decided not to, in the end. LOL

So if you’re tired of cliché storylines but you’re not really looking for “bizarre” plot, then this one is perfect for you. :D

3. THE GENRE:

So far (EP1-5), it’s fun and cute with nothing really important happening, except for the accident that happened in EP1. I think they left that for the “mystery” part later, but we just don’t know when they’ll start to uncover it.

However, I feel kinda worried seeing the lack of the word “comedy” in the genre list of this drama. Because the early episodes are funny, cute and light, like a romcom drama.

I’m just hoping it won’t be too heavy later, because I want the story to have the same tone like its intro & outro.

4. THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:

If you’re familiar with my reviews, you’d know that character development is the most important thing that I seek in a drama.

The FL starts off as an annoying/snobbish rich girl, like typical city girl in dramas. But what I like is how they portray her in a way that she also has her sweet & kind side, and TBH, her snobbish personality came from her life as a person born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she’s not too spoiled. Her dad has the power to control her path in life. She’s also hardworking and smart! <3

The ML, on the other hand, is strict, but soft-spoken. I just hope he doesn’t go too hard on the FL. And I’m also not a fan of some of his life principles.

5. THE CHEMISTRY:

I really love the chemistry between all cast members here, not just the main leads. I can tell that they’re enjoying the shooting of this drama. ^^

6. THE ACTING

I have no complaints about the acting part, because as far as I can see, they’re all good at their job. Yes, even the child actor!

7. THE OST

So far, the songs are good, however, they haven’t left a deep impression on me, yet. Let’s see.

But OST isn’t an important part of a drama for me. If it’s great, then it’s great, I might put it in my favourite OST list. But if it’s not, it’s fine as long as the story is good. Usually when the story is not good, then I don’t even care about the OST no matter how good it is!

EDIT: The OST is growing on me

I hope there will be many more Thai dramas like this!

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