We Are (2024)

Beginners would enjoy this show.

We Are (2024) is a great show, especially for beginners in the BL genre. The cast is fantastic, featuring popular pairings like PonPhuwin, AouBoom, and many other amazing ships. The series mainly focuses on four couples, and although I thought it would be hard to keep track of their names and storylines, it turned out to be fun and easy to follow.

One small disappointment (spoiler alert!) is that I wish MarcPoon had more screen time, as they only confessed at the very end, along with another sideship. Despite that, it was a delightful series, and I’m hoping for a season 2!

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Right series at the right time❤️‍?

A really big thanks to We Are for existing and being part of me and my life. I am really sad that now it has ended, but believe me, you won't be forgetten, or at least not by me. I am one of the biggest lover of this series, because it brought me so many different and beautiful emotions and feelings. Thank you for bringing a lot of joy during all these Wednesdays. You made me cry, laugh, scream and also blush. Thank you a lot.

( I won't do any kind of spoiler, so don't worry. )

All the couples, all the actors, really did a great job. This romcom was literally my only reason. People who hated this series had multiple reasons which i really didn't understand; What do you mean there are way to many episodes? Are you the person who were being delusional over another series of 12 episodes asking for more episodes? I really will never understand and get these type of people, cause they are so picky and hard to satisfy. All these 16 episodes are worth.
Also saying that there were too many couples? Don't worry, they all are well made, the director did a great job, and they all have their moments and scenes (someone had more and someone had less, but still worthy).
There were so many other reasons for why people "dropped" it, and i won't understand them at all. We Are deserves the hype it has, because it was one of the most wonderful series i ever watched.

Please guys, give it a try. You actually won't regreat it. The friendship is a key during this series. It will heal your heart. There is not even a bad think about this series. The story is wonderful and well made, the couples are all cute and sweet, the actors can act, and the music are so beautiful. You won't regret it. Just give it a try!

All the episodes are enjoyable, cute and sweet. The cast is amazing. The director needs more recognisability.

(sorry if there were any kind of errors, english is not my first language.)
Also a special thanks for my dear friend Crina who was by my side during these Wednesday watching We Are with me and screming with me. (They are the Q of my Toey.) I love you a lot, even if we rarely say it to each other. > . <

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A college friend group growing up

We Are showcases how a friend group will change, expand, and grow up together as they experience love and complications. I was honestly worried that the show was going to get annoying with how many characters/couples they have, but it was done so well and was so fun to watch. I looked forward to it every week!

Peem (Phuwin) is an art student who is about to submit his painting for the school gallery, until Phum (Pond) ruins it. Peem gets so mad he kicks Phum, and Phum gives Peem a choice: either pay for the most ridiculous doctors visit ever, or be my servant. Naturally, Peem has to choose the latter, with the stipulation the agreement ends once Peem finishes remaking the painting. Naturally, as the two start spending more time together, their relationship develops as feelings emerge. Alongside Peem are his good friends, including Tan (Aou) who has had a crush on Phum's brother Fang (Boom) for awhile, and Q (Winny) who starts becoming closer with his peer mentee Toey (Satang). All of these relationships have their own struggles, which helps to round out the show. While it is definitely mostly focused on Phum and Peem, the other couples are really fun to watch as well.

This is one of the genres that GMM will always excel in: a school-setting with friends that fall in love. It's light and fun and could easily become a comfort show. The conflicts tend not to be trivial misunderstandings, but rather deal more with the characters trying to figure out their feelings and how to pursue their crush. I didn't think that anything was overly drawn out, or that the pacing was off. There were a few moments between Phum and Peem where you're ready for them to just be together already, but the slow building of the relationship was worth it in the end.

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Strip away plot, character development, drama. Leave only the sweet moments. That is We Are.

If someone asked this avid BL watcher to identify a series that he deemed “peak BL,” I would have to give serious consideration to We Are. This 16-episode series from BL-factory GMMTV follows two distinct friend groups of college students as the groups come together. (Make your own pun there.) Despite a real kicker of a testy first encounter, Peem and Phum are clearly destined to fall for one another. As Peem and Phum grow closer, their previously discrete friend groups blend into one joyously happy group of pals. Yes, folks, that simple premise may well qualify as the exemplar of a BL series. It strips away any semblance of storytelling to deliver a series of vignettes: slice-of-life vignettes, really, that double as a testament to the easy-going college life many older folk recall as a golden era of fun, happy days. The series boils these scenes down to the most basic tropes, tricks, and tics that distinguish BL from other genres. Boys fall for other boys. Side character boys pair up with other side character boys. No one ever finds it surprising when boys fall for other boys. The net result is a series that delivers a progression of scenes that serve no narrative purpose beyond inviting viewers to watch these boys merrily pair off. Most such scenes yield maximum impact in the area of warm and fuzzy response. Since the series is a product of the GMMTV assembly line, it also features an OST replete with fizzy music performed by the cast members. To watch any episode of We Are guarantees coming away feeling happy and bouncy—what is more BL than an endorphin rush?

We Are is peak BL because about all it offers is the characteristics outlined above. The writers sheared away extraneous concerns. Such as, for instance, a proper plot. Or complex character development. Or contrived drama arising from such reliable genre staples as jealous women, prolonged disharmony arising from (comedic) miscommunication, or parental resistance to the heroes’ dating choices. (Honestly, does anyone miss these elements?) Even the rich boy x poor boy motif is mostly absent here, aside from a contrived “be my slave” storyline that sets in motion the whole shebang. (Peem isn’t truly poor, however, just unable to pay that particular bill.) In the absence of these customary genre artifacts, We Are serves a steady diet of treacly moments between boys smitten with one another: scene after scene, episode after episode.

Frankly, it works. The series delivers the endorphins BL viewers expect, and it does so consistently. Only the most demanding viewers—the ones who want food for thought to accompany their sweet confections—will lament the gaping hole where dramatic or thematic complexity would normally appear. We Are aspires to none of those trappings, so to fault it for those absent elements would be churlish. Likewise, I could observe that a low-budget Vietnamese series like Under the Oak Tree (whose 10 episode-run aired concurrently with the final ten weeks of We Are’s sixteen-episode broadcast period) features a quartet of male characters who individually exude more queer authenticity in any one episode than We Are’s eight leads can muster across sixteen episodes and four same-sex couples. But what would be the point of such complaint? GMMTV mass produces BL series because straight girls lap up watching cute young men fall for another, not because the studio cares to make a statement about being young and queer in present-day Thailand. Making an entertaining BL series does not require any of the four couples anchoring We Are to represent some grand point about what it means to be gay. The winsome actors need only to mug at one another at the appropriate moment to send viewers into a swoon. (Just to be clear: old, jaded gay men enjoy swooning when young men fall for one another just as much as the target audience of young straight women.) We Are delivers exactly what it promises: sweet moments between young men falling in love. This reviewer will cite no fault for succeeding in that endeavor.

If We Are has any particular claim to genius, it would be the depiction of a friend group. Arguably, Peem’s and Phum’s respective friendship networks attain more significance throughout the 16-episode arc of the series than any one of the four relationships it portrays. In that sense, We Are departs decidedly from “peak BL.” In this genre, the lead couple’s friends are seldom more than ornaments to the main couple’s story. Here, the various couplings function ornamentally to the larger circle of friends. More specifically, We Are’s secret sauce stems from inviting the viewer right into the friend group. They have slumber parties. They have drinking parties. They stage surprise parties. They have victory parties to celebrate myriad triumphs. They go together to a theme park. They travel to a volunteer service camp. They travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for more excursions. In the finale, they travel to a beach resort (which, in true BL fashion, is owned by the parents of a group member). After all that togetherness, any viewer would have to work hard not feel as if Peem’s friends are also their own friends.

Much of the credit for the effectiveness of a BL series where friendship outshines romance must rest with the director, New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul. In the absence of a proper plot with a through-storyline, New succeeds in getting the viewer to invest in following the friend group’s passage through their college experience and, for most of them, the onset of first love. As best friends do, these buddies routinely adjust their interactions to suit a moment. On a moment’s notice, they can alternate from razzing one another, to supporting each other in moments of insecurity. They are as apt to call one another out as to root for one another. In many episodes, the friends verbally express how important the friendships are, how happy they are to know each other. Their conviviality seems believable because the actors are totally at ease with each other. GMMTV famously recycles its performers. Sometimes repetition can work against a series, but here the performers’ familiarity with one another from earlier projects pays off with a friend group whose bonhomie feels genuine, almost palpable. “Every day is a memory, precious and true,” proclaims the first line of the theme song. And, frankly, that sentiment explains both what We Are aspires to be—a depiction of precious memories about a precious time in life (college)—and why it succeeds—because the friendships feel true.. Precious? Absolutely.

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Best friendship and love drama of 2024

This drama is so cute and sweet I loved all the couples and I didn’t feel like main or 2nd couple every couple god equal story important and screening time it was really best drama I loved how the child good friends grew up together until graduation and then again they are together with their partners so happy that this drama doesn’t have much complex script or toxic I didn’t feel too sweet or too boring may be we had 4 different stories? And the friends zone stories too but yeah hope Thai drama doesn’t be like western bl too much people like these kind of drama rather than only friends I mean they shud be meaningful to the friendship and love I really miss this drama now I want another drama like this😢 hope gmmtv need to give another drama in a week also hope they realease 2 episodes like kdrama or Chinese drama every week but all the actors had really amazing acting and pun is the best cute and silly character and I’m watching him in the the trainee also hope to see him more and love from india ❤❤ to all the actors best director script and story

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A Dose of Serotonin

There are various reasons why 'We Are' is a standout drama, which I will highlight below, but I must start with the most important.

'We Are' is unpretentious. From the start, the show promised us a feel good romcom, delivered by an endearing cast of friends, and not once did it fail us. From beginning to end we are presented with a healthy loving group of friends in healthy loving relationships. Yes, drama can make for good TV, but there’s always room for a show that offers comfort and good-natured humor.

'We Are' is a slow burn. Surprisingly, I believe that in this case, it’s a plus. In the BL era of everyone must be dating by episode 5, it can even be considered refreshing. Despite our main couple not being official until the latter half of the show, there was little room for the viewers to doubt that they would eventually get there. By showing that a lack of a relationship status did not impede the romance of it all, they managed to cleverly keep viewers engaged. It was also entertaining to observe the multiple couples in various stages of a relationship. With such a large group of friends, there was always something going on.

'We Are' boasts of a lovable cast. The true star of this show and what kept the story connected, was how genuinely the friend group was written. There was love there that is just as important as the romance. It’s not difficult to root for a group of characters, when they are ALL genuinely good people. (I have to say that watching that last episode made me a tiny bit emotional. It’s like I’m sending off my children into the adult world. I don’t have any children.)

All in all, 'We Are' never failed to deliver that midweek kick of serotonin, and for that it will be missed.

Was it perfect? No. But it accomplished what it set out to do in a striking way.

Rating : 9.5/10. Comforting & Feel-Good.

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A page of youth

I love coming-of-age BL stories, and this drama was a sparkling encapsulation of that youthful brilliance.

The entire cast was fantastic, and out of all the roles played by Pond and Phuwin, I liked their characters, Phum and Peem, in this drama the most. The other cast members were also wonderful, and there were no unpleasant characters or events. In other words, nothing really happens. For 16 episodes, the same kind of content continues. There is nothing dramatic. Just daily university tasks, friendships, and life.

Some people might find this uneventful and monotonous story unsatisfying, but I found it very realistic and loved it for that. Life isn't always filled with dramatic events. The transition from friendship to love, from friends to lovers, is portrayed very carefully. Unlike typical Thai BL dramas, there is no hellish event before the final episode. It’s consistently safe.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to feel the romance and friendship of university students in a realistic way.

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So this is the first time I’m leaving a review here but I noticed a lot of hate reviews so I wanted to leave another perspective.
It’s a nice feel good series. Does it have a complex storyline? No. Does it have over top “cute” behaviour (I’m looking at you Tan), yes. But it does have adorableness and moments that made me squeal from cuteness overload.
I loved the chemistry and interactions between Phum and Peem. They’re a slower burn compared to the other 2 couples, but I think their pace works for them.

I also love the supportive relationship between the brothers. It’s nice to see their friendly and sibling teasing.

If you want a light, cheery and cute series to binge I totally recommend it.

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excellent, heartfelt ensemble storytelling within a quiet piece

This was the first show I've watched with any of these actors in a main role, and I couldn't be more pleased with my experience. I've long since admired P'New's skill at handling large episode counts, intimate friend groups, and and a quieter, more mature romance and We Are brought all these things in spades. We Are follows a large ensemble of friends and the way their knitting together of friendships and relationships changes the lives of the individuals. It's quiet and generally low-stakes, but the actors bring a weight to these college friendships and romances that makes you feel how important they are to the characters at hand. It ends up being the story of choosing to be gentle, supportive, and brave with those closest to you to foster uplifting communities. I really enjoyed it a lot.

-The Full Review-
STORY:
I absolutely love this story. Each character felt true and dimensional in their own story. It's easy to grasp Peem's aspirations, as well as the life that shaped his personality. Phum's issues with his parents are not expanded on extensively but they are felt throughout his character. The treatment of Toey, the baby of the group, is consistent and serves as an anchor to unite the group when things aren't going well. Even Beer, Matt, and Mick (who have comparatively smaller roles) feel like real installations in their lives and a great representation of friends on the periphery of a core group.
My only real issue with this storytelling is that there was a sometimes awkward pacing with a focus on flashbacks. I felt that the story could be improved if, for example, Q and Toey's history was more naturally integrated into the events of the story. We tended to move from one couple to another in rotation, with large flashbacks to convey prior history, when stronger development between inter-couple relationships proved a more interesting way to discover backstory and emotional mindsets.

ACTING:
I'm noticing this is a rather unpopular opinion, but this show absolutely rocketed Phuwin to my top 10 Thai actors. Between finishing this show and writing this review (less than one week) I've started (and finished) Never Let Me Go and started in on Summer Night. There's a delicacy to his character work that was particularly effective with Peem's gentleness, but that didn't prevent him from truly shining in the boyish, loud, and playful moments. I truly enjoy watching his performances.
For Pond, I thought Phum sat very naturally in his skill set. It was quite satisfying to watch him melt and become a livelier and more active friend. I think that P'New's direction really suited his style and allowed him to make that transition much more realistically and comfortably than in NLMG. The growth was quite stark and I am very proud of him,
Next most stand out performance, to me, was Winny as Q. His character was quite quirky, quiet and reserved--but not necessarily out of a sense of shyness or self-consciousness. I loved the give-and-take of his attentions, as well as his blunt manner of navigating the world. The equally un-self-conscious way he became a sweet and affectionate boyfriend was so cute.
I picked up this series for AouBoom (if you can really say that--I'd only seen them in Midnight Museum, which was hardly a major role lol), and I was surprised, but pleased with their chemistry. I'm not sure what I was expecting from them as a pair, but Aou, especially, walked a line of a character who could be quite annoying very well. You could really feel their character's fondness for each other quite well.
As for the rest, there was no one I was dissatisfied with. Everyone in this ensemble managed to match each other's energy in an infectious and driving way. The connection between the characters was the only thing holding this story together, which is always a difficult task. But the chemistry never collapsed and the ensemble functioned well together. I particularly enjoyed how many "dramatic reveals" had at least three or four other cast members in the background reacting in unison. It was really well done!

PRODUCTION:
I don't have much commentary to make in the production of this show. P'New favors a naturalistic style and that is very apparent here. The costuming and set pieces are suited to the piece and competently assembled, but not particularly attention grabbing. It's clear they production team preferred to highlight the performances of the actors over artistic staging--which I think works just fine for this piece.
For the positives, the most intimate scenes (Q and Peem on the steps, Loy Krathong, conversations in the dark at camp, the gallery show, etc) came off very intimate and warm with just subtle shifts in lighting and framing. I love being allowed to just watch actors act their asses off without a lot of distracting tricks and magic. And this show certainly delivered.
For the negatives, I thought the paintings were really uninspired. With so little time and energy spent on other aspects of the production, and with the importance of painting and art to so many of the characters, I really expected Peem, Q, and Toey's artwork to be.... better, lol. Q, even, barely had a recognizable style/interest despite being the Maestro. I would look to Not Me as a better example of a show that pulled of art students work successfully within a narrative.

INTIMACY:
As I said, I was new to (almost) all of these couples and had no baseline for their chemistry or work together. All of them sold their relationships. I enjoyed that each couple got a unique style of intimacy that reflected their personalities--which is not always the case in ensembles this large. I particularly enjoyed the way that Phum and Peem's sense of intimacy developed ahead of actually confirming their relationship, and their struggles in navigating what that means for them. The use of casual affectionate touch was also quite beautiful in this series.
I found that the NC scenes were rather typical to GMMTV. I think they suited the tone of the story fine, but were a little bit generic? Many other moments of intimacy were more valuable to the characters than any of the sex scenes, which made them feel quite tacked on or simply to fulfill a quota. They didn't detract from the story, but they didn't add to it either. I would really like to see a GMMTV that manages to include sex in a more meaningful, character-motivated way. But these sweet first times were fine.

In all, I really enjoyed this story and it's been sticking with me a lot more strongly than I expected when I first started it. The characters (and their actors) are very charming and it's a feelgood, warm story. It actually made me quite excited for Perfect10Liners because I'd forgotten how good P'New was with juggling broad stories about friendships. I would recommend We Are to anyone looking for something acting-heavy and sweet.

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COMFORT WATCH - Great Cast with Amazing Chemistry

This series is the one we have been asking for, no unnecessary drama created just because and focusing on the character relationships, development and how they together overcome their personal hurdles. I loved that we were allowed time to explore the individual relationships between the friends as well as between the couples. There is of cause love connections in the series as it is a Boy's Love series, but equally as great is it to just sit and watch the different friendship dynamics portrayed.

Over the episodes you get to meet and connect with the characters and for the most part they all have fairly fleshed out back stories and plots. Although it is hard to do this to the same extent for all of them as the cast is quite large, there is no seemingly unnecessary characters introduced. They all have their individual characters and traits that show believable and varied expressions of friendship, love and affection. I also like how we see four very different types of couple dynamics, and that one isn't better than the others, they are just different but equally deep in their feelings.

It is a modern take on a classic University BL that I really appreciate. It shows that you can make a non-toxic University BL that gives the viewers warmth and promote healthy relationships. Although some of the criticism of the series is by some a perceived lack of plot, I personally do not think so. The plot is the friendships and lives of the 4 couples. Whom all have good charisma and chemistry that carries the series to the end. The series doesn't need the big dramas to carry it throughout because the chemistry between all the actors carries the story beautifully.

I only wished the episodes were longer and that there were more of them, as this series has been a great COMFORT WATCH.

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One of the best college BLs in recent times

With 16 episodes, We Are is an exception to the GMMTV BL rule. I’m glad they decided to go with this many episodes because, to be honest, I couldn’t get enough of this series.

The trailer of We Are seemed a little lame and all over the place. I didn’t know what to expect from the drama except for a cliched “do what I tell you in exchange for what you want” plot, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.

Pond and Phuwin never disappoint. They have found a steady rhythm blending romantic anticipation with playful rivalry. aheir relationship also develops like how any real-life relationship would. There’s a long period of ambiguity in their status, which is actually the best part of the show given their mutual attraction.

Even though the storyline was rather superficial and uncomplicated, it managed to capture the magic of young people falling in love. No bullshit, no convoluted problems. Just butterflies and affection.

The series was also unexpectedly humorous in its own way, so it left me both squealing and roaring with laughter throughout.

Verdict: A comforting and highly entertaining series that I looked forward to every week

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/28/we-are-2024-bl-review/

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