Cutie Pie (2022)

This is what I get for thinking Zee is really pretty

I will preface by saying that I'm not really a fan of mainstream Thai BL for multiple reasons, but watching "Why R U?" altered something in my brain and I might be terminally in love with Zee. Which was my main reason for watching "Cutie Pie".

Before you continue reading - yes I have watched the entire show (without skipping any scenes, though looking back I wish I would've skipped all the Yi\Khondiao scenes), but....... On 2x speed. After trying to power through the first episode "normally" I just couldn't bear it anymore. I have slowed down back to normal on the prominent Lian\Kuea scenes but other than that, my expectations were horrendously low so I didn't see a point in being properly invested in the show.

Now for the good parts:
- Acting! Nunew, who was in 90% of the scenes, did great with what he was given. Sometimes he was given really really bad stuff but he still managed to make it look as honest as possible and he gets huge kudos for that. He was never cringier than the script and I truly enjoyed watching him. Zee, my love, was great at what he does - being pretty and in love. He was always really pretty and he's exceptionally good at acting in love so he did not disappoint me in those areas.
- Chemistry! Needless to say, Zee\Nunew are great, and the supposed confirmed IRL nature of their relationship was also a convincing factor for me to watch the show. I get it! I truly get it.
- Some "progressive" parts, like a scolding for "are you angry because you're on your period" and the reccuring talk about the legal status of same-sex marriage in Thailand in a show centered around a (future) same-sex marriage. (Though the "love who you love" falls short when you realize that we're still kinda talking about an arranged marriage here. Also, the beginning\ending speeches were out of place to me and I feel like the show didn't actually get that point across at all. And as they say, actions speak louder than words so it was really unnecessary to me)
- The Boun\Prem cameo which reminded me I should check out "Between Us".
- The scene with "The cauliflower looks yummy" - "It's broccoli" - "I can't cook" - "It's okay". Peak cinema.

The bad parts:
- The plot? For the life of me could not explain to people what the show was about. Even the premise is a bit confusing. They're in an arranged engagement but they're childhood besties but they don't really talk more than once a week but they love each other but now one has decided that he doesn't and. Again I watched it on 2x speed and some episodes just had nothing happening in them which was a bit insane. Nothing really moved and nothing really changed and Lian\Kuea fought out of nowhere and reconciled really quickly every time and it was just. Unsatisfying. The last episode almost went into a really cute, IMO, direction, and then it was ruined again by the sameeeeeee dynamic, again. And it basically ended at the same place it started, but Now Kuea Wears A Leather Jacket In Front Of Lian.
- Everything about Yi\Khondiao, and just Yi in general. To say he's controlling is an understatement. Showing us how Khondiao is literally scared of him in certain scenes was supposed to make me what, coo at how "fiercely protective" Yi is? They didn't even explain their whole backstory properly, either letting me piece together the hints or just saving it all for the spinoff (which I'm not watching if it's the last show on earth). I hated their dynamic, I hated their acting, they don't have any chemistry and don't look good together. To think that some people believe this to be a normal relationship in any way is genuinely concerning to me. (I even hated every scene Yi and Lian had together because they just seemed like bad friends to each other)

The songs I simply did not care about so I don't have anything bad nor good to say about them. I also expected to like Syn\Nuer more but I didn't, mostly because it felt like it came out of nowhere. The comedy was also not funny to me most of the time. Just a lot of things about this show were very wattpad-y, in a bad way.


In short, would not suggest it to anyone unless they're insane about Zee Citeste mai mult

So cute! Definitely rewatching

The chemistry in this series is off the charts. Plus, the production is amazing. It’s not the type of plot I’d usually go for, but somehow it won me over because it’s one of my favorite BLs! The underlying message of being yourself in a relationship is really deep and sweet. However, somewhere in the writing or editing, they made a misstep because the first episode, or first 2 or 3, were a bit confusing. It took finishing the series then rewatching later to figure out what the characters were thinking/feeling at the beginning. Still, I suggest you keep watching until the end. I’m eagerly waiting to see what else this director and ZeeNunew make in the future!

Citeste mai mult

Cute But Messy

To start this fiasco, I'm gonna say I'm ZeeSaint all the way BUT ZeeNew was satisfying...in the romance department.
Anyway, other than the romance this was crazy toxic! Everything would be going smooth and something so simple would blow everything out of proportion and they'd start over (in the same episode) lmao. When it was cute it was super cheesy and sweet but when it was bad, it didn't take much to bring it down. I wanted more from the side couples but I'm pretty satisfied with what I got. I saw quite a few familiar faces and the new ones were just as cute :)
The rating I'm giving is strictly cause of the romance and visuals. I'd recommend if you want some dramatic romance, but if you're looking for something wholesome TURN BACK! I had a really hard time getting over the back and forth love hate bratty whiny attitude from specifically our MC.
The ending had me blushing and internally screaming!!!
Enjoy...

Citeste mai mult

yes, the plot is an absolute mess & objectively speaking, the show does not deserve a 9, and yet...

cutie pie is one of those shows that you inexplicably KNOW is objectively so-so, but you can't help but love it all the same because it's got so much heart and it's so lovingly made. my rating of the show is so totally biased because of me adoring it to bits lol, but i do still think it's a show that most can enjoy IF they go in with the right expectations:
the show is largely meant to be a fluffy romcom, so please watch it accordingly- expecting perfectly logical plot points and character motivations or developments is not the way to go about it <3 if that's not your thing, then please direct your attentions elsewhere!
if that does seem like the kinda thing you'd enjoy, though- if you want a bit of adorable, harmless fun and romance, then i suspect you'll enjoy cutie pie just alright!

Citeste mai mult

Cutie, sexie, and avoids being overdramatic

I feel like 9 out of 10 BL rely on misunderstandings that don't make sense and are usually blown out of proportion to the point that you roll your eyes.
Cutie Pie doesn't do that.

There aren't accidental misunderstandings. They're all on purpose because the characters made intentional choices to control how they're perceived. And the conflict comes from the consequences of those choices.

The two main couples have decent chemistry both in talking with each other as well as skinship. Any moments of awkwardness feel intentional because of the characters'situations.

This isn't the absolute best acting or story as far as holding up to my top rated shows. But this show is better than most of the BL you come across.

The most important thing to me is that i can feel the characters'desire develop for each other and that came through to me in both couples.

This journey is worth watching if you're looking for good romance.

Citeste mai mult

Took a long time to finish because of the weak plot

The great looking actors, generally high production value, kisses and bed scenes fail to elevate this series above the mundane because of the weak plot.

This is very odd for, based on the summary of the original material this series is based on (someone posted on MDL), there is so much potential for a reasonably good plot. Unfortunately, the series spends most of its time on nothing in particular. It feels like someone is deliberately putting everything that is potentially interesting aside.

The series starts with Lian behaving coldly towards Kuea, inexplicably saying that there's no love between them and calling him Annabelle (yes, that horror film Annabelle). Devastated, Kuea wants to break off their engagement. But he doesn't ... he doesn't ... somehow he doesn't ... and then Lian makes Kuea move into his house. By this point, it is clear to us that Lian actually loves Kuea but there's no good explanation for the way he treated Kuea.

After moving into Lian's house, Kuea still wants to cancel their engagement, but ... he still doesn't. And then they make out. And then they spend some loving days together. But Kuea is still hiding his true self from Lian, who actually knows what Kuea is really like. Nothing much happens until Kuea somehow finds out that his family's properties have been transferred to Lian's name because his family has fallen on hard times. He thinks that Lian is with him just out of obligation (what causes him to come to this conclusion isn't clearly explored). When Lian proposes to him, he rejects Lian in front of an entire party of people.

The rejection was the climax of the story. One that turned out to be an anti-climax. They make up (and make out) so easily you might laugh. And then lots of nonsense about Kuea trying to propose to Lian.

I don't know why the adaptation doesn't show more of the things that would have made the main characters more interesting when there are clearly opportunities to dos o. Showing the scenes of Kuea's mother discussing the transfer of properties to Lian and Lian's thoughts and emotions at a strategic point would have made his love for Kuea more touching. Instead of focusing so much on Kuea trying to hide the "secret" aspects of his life from Lian even when he supposedly wants to break off their engagement (and doesn't have to care what Lian thinks), Kuea could have been shown to be making attempts to see if Lian would be able to accept him for who he is. There could have been misunderstandings that make him think that Lian is unable to accept him.

Given that Nuer is brought in as someone who is obviously trying to hit on Kuea at first, it is also baffling why the series does not make use of this potential third party to create tension. Can't you at least make Lian misunderstand Nuer and Kuea's relationship and get jealous or something like that? In the end, Nuer is brought in as a potential third party quite pointlessly. It is rather silly because the writers might as well have left out Nuer's initial interest in Kuea. After all, from the start, Nuer also looks at and interacts with Syn in a way that suggests a potential romance. And seriously, since there is so little going on with Kuea and Lian, why not give more screen time to Nuer and Syn, who are actually the couple with the best BL potential as the story goes? I think the series would have become better if half of Kuea and Lian's time had been given to Nuer and Syn.

The series tries to deal with more serious issues by pointing out the fact that Lian and Kuea can get married in a traditional ceremony but they will not be recognized as a married couple in the eyes of the law. Unfortunately, it doesn't really do much here except to harp on this. It's a good thing that Thai BL has become more daring in pointing out that gay people still do not have equal rights, but there are series that do it better.

It's not even that Cutie Pie has a weak story. It has a reasonable story but the plot structure and the delivery of the story fail to do justice to material that could have been interesting.

Citeste mai mult

High budget hot mess letting down talented actors

I got on this ride with no expectations. The good: I really enjoyed the lead actors, the bad: atrociously bad script. I originally got off at episode 7, there is ZERO character development due to rubbish plot. They learn each other's hidden lives...and still can't communicate. I mean, it's lazy plot where good actors are reduced to characters forced to go round in circles. I really wanted to like this, I rarely drop shows (I'm careful what I watch) but the leading actors just couldn't save this high budget hot mess. I've sincerely seen superior plot and character development with significantly lower budget Thai dramas. Incredibly disappointed. Give this a skip, but keep an eye on the actors future projects, they have real talent, don't blame them for writers who can't...well...write.
It would have been MUCH better if the ML's figured out a relationship normal and the plot moved on to challenge that normal instead we're reduced to a repetitive circular plot with zero communication and characters acting irrationally.

Update (elaboration):
I dropped then returned to this. Such a big struggle. I love the ML actors, they do wonders with an incredibly poor script. So 8/10 for the actors but a woeful 2/10 for plot, character development. I wanted to like this, but I just can't. Toxic relationships whose problems could all be solved with a 20 minute private conversation. The ending was...dragged out (Kuea and Lian's issue at the end - their entire 'problem' - was just a result of a script writing team with a dearth of ideas. Seriously, Kuea & Lian could've wrapped up their issues by episode 7). Furthermore, the ending does nothing to resolve the fundamental issue that Lian's character a worrying control freak and Kuea's character is reduced to having the emotional capacities of a child. I'm still left scratching my head at how a good music score, good budget, solid pro-gay rights message and excellent cast was so let down by shoddy and unimaginative script writing. Frustrating in the extreme, big let down for me.

Citeste mai mult

I guess its actually not that bad

I have no idea why people gave such harsh reviews about this show, its not as horrid as I was expecting in the end.
So yes, there was no valid explanation as to why Lian and Yi just behaved so..... in the beginning, or about the sudden behavioural changes somewhere along the line

I was confused at a lot of point, especially concerning Yi and Diao's relationship. Was there a prequel or parent story I missed somewhere? Every part of their relationship was a huge question mark to me. Also, what was the basis of Yi's unreasonable possessiveness over Diao? who sets a curfew for a college student at 9pm? They weren't even dating prior to the start of the show so what actually was any of that? I know a good portion of the show was chaotic but Yi and Diao raised so many red flags and question marks

And then theres a whole lot of heavy kissing scenes (not that Im complaining) which distract us from the main plot and distract us from all the confusing... who knows what thats going on

But to be honest, Nuer and Syn's couple was the main thing that kept me going anyways. Their ship might just have been the best executed plotline in the whole show and I wish they wouldve had more screentime

I like the show, the characters are cute, their acting was nice (although at certain points I wanted to reach into the screen and punch Diao), the music was amazing as well.

Diao and Kuea's friendship was adorable as well

I still dont get why Lian said he didnt love Kuea in the begining though? Like, Lian and Yi's characters were confusing at a lot of points but as I said, Im just here for NuerSyn

This review might seem disjointed and confusing but hey.., so is the show

Citeste mai mult

A Tale of Potential and Missed Opportunities

"Cutie Pie" holds the promise of a truly exceptional show, one that could have earned a perfect score with its intriguing character profiles and captivating premise. While it does boast notable strengths, a few significant missteps prevent it from achieving its full potential.

A standout aspect of the show is its unwavering stance against homophobia. "Cutie Pie" admirably challenges this harmful attitude while refraining from providing it any space, reinforcing a message of inclusivity and acceptance.

The central relationship between Kuea and Lian goes through significant growth, transitioning from a dynamic defined by Kuea's perception of Lian as a family figure to a more equitable and romantic partnership. This evolution in their relationship arc shows promise in terms of character development.

One notable highlight is Lian's gradual departure from his manipulative and scheming behavior. While this growth is evident, it's unfortunate that the show failed to consistently condemn these actions. A few lines in the final episode hardly rectify the normalization of such behavior throughout the series.

A noteworthy lesson learned by Lian is the understanding that marriage involves sharing both joy and sorrow. It's a sign of maturity when characters recognize that protecting their partner from distressing news isn't always the best approach in a relationship.

However, "Cutie Pie" struggles with pacing issues that impact its overall delivery. Rushing through the tension surrounding the unique dynamics of the central couple while dragging out generic conflicts creates an uneven viewing experience. To truly shine, the show should have found inventive ways to translate the unique tensions into relatable themes for a wider audience.

In conclusion, "Cutie Pie" showcases moments of brilliance intertwined with missed opportunities. While its firm stance against homophobia and character growth hold promise, the show's inconsistency in addressing problematic behavior and pacing challenges hinder its full potential. It's a show that could have achieved greatness, yet settles for being a mix of highs and lows.

Citeste mai mult