Weird, remarkably consistent -- and can make you think if you look beyond the Pork Blood Soup
For vampire Pun, only meeting Yo makes his own life meaningful. Only when they are together, during the all too short span of a human life, there can be happiness. Pun will enjoy every single second with Yo, it doesn't matter if these seconds are good, bad, or deeply absurd.For those who seek help in deciding if they should watch this series, this might be important to know:
* Take all of your ideas what a vampire story should be like, and put them away, because this story either discards them or at least subverts all the vampire tropes.
* Almost all of the characters are weird in some way. If you can't handle "cringe" (whatever that is, because I still don't understand the word), then this might not be for you.
* Blood Pork Soup sometimes feels like the main character of the show. This is what brings the group together.
* This is not a fast-paced romance. At times, it seems as if this show is not about the romance, but about the absurdity of life. Which also means that sometimes it seems that nothing is happening at all. Relax, follow the flow of the drama, enjoy every scene on its own, without expecting it to advance the story -- and you'll enjoy this show.
* Pun is, and that is important to notice, usually at least an unreliable narrator -- inconsistencies in what he says are not plot holes. Take everything Pun says about himself or other vampires with a grain of salt, he has his reasons.
* You *will* get a common trope used in stories about humans and immortals at the end.
* And last, watch the trailer https://youtu.be/5ekNPUazAmA. For a trailer, this one is pretty much accurate. If you like what you see there, you might like the series.
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Now, the things I love about the series:
1. The series tries to do something different.
While I can love a tropey rom-com, I don't want only that. I love when somebody does something new; when tropes are discarded or subverted. Actually, I was deeply sceptical before I started watching this serie, because I DON'T like vampire stories and their tropes. Dark and brooding, cruel and mysterious, erotic blood-sucking included? No, thank you. But this one is different. This is colourful, and bright, and everybody enjoys the absurdity life can bring.
"Different" always gets bonus points, even if other aspects might not be good.
2. The characters are weird, and so, so loveable.
Pun, of course, the good vampire who loves Yo and Pork Blood Soup, who once wore braces as an accessory, whose assortment of colourful umbrellas shade us from the harsh sun of reality.
Yo, who is obsessed with aliens and fascinated by the weird, who likes wearing his beaded bracelets and, of course, loves eating Pork Blood Soup.
Kamsai, whose main goal in life is to have a Pork Blood Soup stall, and who is the most pragmatic of them all at the age of 16.
Yam, Yo's little sister, who seems to be a no-nonsense kind of person but ultimately gives in to the weird obsession of Yo's, and who is the one who has a good sense for people and is the first to point out the attraction between Yo and Pun.
Shin, of course, who is hard-working, always full of energy, and who seems to have a slight humiliation kink.
And then there are the side characters; the alien-obsessed Pak and her mute girlfriend, the nosy but courageous auntie, Gyoza and her elderly grandma, the small and cheeky landlady.
3. The series is consistent:
When I watched the series for the first time, I waited for the plot to fall apart very episode. It didn't. Actually, after rewatching, I can say, the plot and the worldbuilding is remarkably consistent -- there are no glaring inconsistencies, no obvious plot holes. I do wish the writer had put more obvious clues about Pun's backstory in earlier episodes. As it is, the last episodes reveals *two* crucial pieces of information about the past and has to resolve all of it in half an episode -- this might be one of the reasons some people find the ending rushed.
I also have to mention that this is one of the few Thai BLs that actually give us dates! The main story starts shortly before Valentine (episode 1, the couple's discount at the food stall) and ends shortly after Songkran, then there's a time-skip of a year, after which follows a montage over the next fifty-four years (this can be easily calculated). So, and I think that's something a lot of people haven't noticed, the main part only takes just over two months -- that's actually not that long.
I also feel that the characters are consistent in their actions. There wasn't a scene when I thought that someone was out of character. Even the side characters had, well, *character*.
Look at Chalui / Luis for example. He's part of "UFO and the gang" (Yo's college friend group) -- if you observe him, he's obviously not as into alien hunting as Yo and Pak. He rolls his eyes continuously, he doesn't want to get involved with that vampire nonsense. He points out that their thesis in the next semester will be a solo project -- and consequently, disappears from the moment the break starts and doesn't appear again. (And, let's be honest, friend groups at college form and disband all the time.)
4. Something that also impressed me were the props and sets.
Seeing the Pun and Yo's rooms, they fit their characters. None of those soulless condos and houses for the super-rich that look as if they were just rented spaces for a series. I can see Yo and Pun *living* there, surrounded by all the things that are important to them. The roof-top restaurant, too, evolves over time, from a neglected space to a place where our group regularly meets and eats their pork blood soup -- props were added over the course of the series, changed places, were *used*. That shows what you can do with a small budget, if you know what you want.
5. The music.
Most of the songs are sung by Boy YourMOOD, who also plays Shin in this show, they are as up-beat and colourful as the whole series. And I encourage you to pay attention to the songs at the opening and closing credits!
6. The plot, in all its consistency, leaves some questions unanswered. (Yes, I'm still at "things I love")
I don't mean the important questions -- the main plot itself is resolved in the end; we get to hear the reasons for the main obstacle, we know why Pun acts the way he does. But there are some minor plot points that are left open -- I won't talk about them here, I try to keep this spoiler-free.
The thing is, I like it when I can think and theorize more after a show has ended. When I can have my little fantasies about what happened before and why, about what someone did or said between scenes, about what will happen after the last scene. Bonus points for that!
7. Below all of the quirky weirdness, there lie unexplored depths of existential questions.
Throughout the series, it feels as if the mood is just one turn away from shifting into the dark.
The drama asks: What to do when everything falls apart and the thing / the person that gave meaning to your life is gone? What will you do when you are the one who will outlive them all?
And: How much do you let yourself be defined by what you are? Can you go against your very own nature? Against what everybody else says how you should be? How long will you be able to defy expectations?
And: What makes a good life? Can happiness be a bowl of Pork Blood Soup?
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The acting by all of the actors was not something exceptional, but we've all seen much worse in Thai BLs. Both main actors did a good job -- especially Pun's besotted stares and Yo's laugh whenever he was embarrassed or confused were very well done. The comedic timing was usually spot-on for me, and where it wasn't. it seems mainly be a strange editing choice. Somchai could have had more range -- the clapping and laughing got samey after a while, but in other scenes the actor was good enough to make everybody hate his character. Special mention goes to Mild who played Kaemsai, what a remarkable scene in episode 11! And she was only 16 when they filmed; I'm looking forward to following her acting career.
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And, at last, the not-so-good.
Because everything cannot be perfect, and we can love something while also be aware of the flaws.
I already pointed it out earlier: There are two crucial plot points that answer questions that are central to the whole plot; and we don't even get real hints before that. While rewatching, I noticed that, at least for one of those plot points, there are actions that make much more sense now that I know what I know -- during the first time, I felt that there was something ... not quite off, but strange about them, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
In my opinion, it would have been possible to place more and stronger hints in earlier episodes, without revealing everything. It might also have made the series more palatable for the people who felt that it was "too slow" or that "nothing is happening".
To everyone who made it to the end of this review, I say:
โบกมือลา ... แล้ววันหน้าพบกันใหม่ --- Wave goodbye ... and meet you again in the future.
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Funny and unique approach to BL!
First, let me just clarify for anyone going into the show unaware, this is a SATIRE. If satire and parody are not your cup of tea I totally get it, that’s fine, we all like what we like! But for the love of the holy BL gods, don’t down-rate a series you haven’t even finished just because you don’t enjoy the genre and it’s not what you expected.How many people have downrated BL or queer shows in general just because they expected or wanted it to be straight? Don’t be part of the problem my friends, don’t hurt independent artists simply because a concept isn’t one you personally enjoy.
This is a parody of both vampire/monster shows and also of BL, and done in a beautifully witty, kind, and unique style too. The director, Champ Weerachit Thongjila, is a genius and I’ve been a fan of his since IWKY. It’s self-aware, clever, charming, full of bright colors and subverted expectations and quirky characters and supportive friends. It’s supposed to be over the top and in your face, and yes, you have to put a bit of work in to watch carefully and read between the lines. Every detail is planned and deliberate and clever, from the sets to the music, and if you pay attention there’s little Easter eggs and call backs all through the show.
I don’t normally write a review before I’ve finished a show, but I hated seeing all the negative comments from a bunch of grumpy Karens who traveled to a foreign country and went to a local restaurant only to leave in a huff when they couldn’t order a caesar salad or a hamburger. It’s like watching a horror film and then down-rating it because you don’t like gore or jump scares 🤦🏻♀️
I’ll be back to update when the show is done ☺️
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The entertainment aspect depends on the person
Personally, although the drama had certain plot holes, acting skills can be improved, and the plot, overall, relied a lot on the mysteriousness of Pun, it is a cute watch for a mid-week break. However, I know if I watched it after airing, I would not have been able to continue.Major Plot Hole: *Spoiler* I am not sure if it was me who missed it or it was never addressed, but, in the show, it was never mentioned how Pun was able to stay with Yoh longer. Was it the possible consumption of human blood or his marriage with Janja, which seemed somewhat pertinent, aside from the romance aspect.
Acting: This is one of the parts that I tend to use for deciding whether a drama is worth watching. I would say the acting was not bad, but definitely, with more experience, it will improve.
Plot: The main premise of the story surrounded Pun's life and how Yoh gets involved in it. I feel like the story, basically, progressed because of Pun, the other vampires, and the fact that not many questions about Pun were answered even at the end of the show. It was, mainly, curiosity which made me watch the show.
A fun watch and I am excited to see the upcoming projects of the cast.
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I'm Not Angry, Just Disappointed
Episode one is usually rough so I'm giving this the benefit of the doubt, but I have a strong feeling the entire series is going to require a lot of it. Cringe alone doesnt make for a good series and holy hell is there cringe. And not even good cringe or funny cringe, just.... "uh ok, i guess" cringe. We begin with a stalker who refuses to believe he's the weird one. And he is, somehow, slightly less weird than the person he's stalking. Slightly.Also the 1000 year old supernatural being has no secrecy or self-preservation? Sure cool. I can suspend disbelief there if only because in the trailer we see that he's not exactly attached to living but something about the execution is.....suspect. Again, gonna chalk all this up to first episode growing pains and cross my fingers that it gets better.
After finishing episode two, it was much less excruciating. If we follow this trend, episode three (or maybe four) on should be watchable, so I'm in it for another two weeks, I guess.
After watching episode three, I finally figured out why this irks me: it feels like a middle school fanfiction. The sheer amount of characters repeating lines and staring with no talking, just awkwards giggles, is painful. I was watching on 2x and it took up a lot of the episode even still. Three episodes in and this is the first episode that feels like something happened, but it still feels like nothing is happening. Like the script has so few plot points that they really drag out what should be a cute lil siesta into a nine hour sleep.
Episode four kinda seals the deal, I'm dropping this. It feels like a middle schooler's crackfic which isn't necessarily an awful thing, but all the dead space also makes it feel like filming day was the first time any of the actors saw the script. The humor has not been landing for me, despite being able to see every moment thats *supposed* to be funny. The plot is thinner than one-ply toilet paper and the two new characters managed to somehow be even less compelling than the cast we already know (except Mild, who can do no wrong.) I'm not taking this series seriously at all-- not even remotely-- which usually makes things better, but it's still impressively bad. Alas.
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Reseña sencilla
Esta serie es muy buena a mi parecer, me duele ese final tipo es bueno pero me cala y si vuelvo a ver esta serie yo creo que no voy a llegar otra vez a ver esos últimos minutos, ame con locura los outfits de phan yo demasiado fan, me encanto como se va enamorando poco a poco Yo, además de mostrarnos algunas cosas de sus anteriores vidas, termine muy conforme con la serie:) Edit: La serie si se siente que a veces avanza un poco lento o la trama se estanca además de que como que no hay mucha seriedad con el tema de los vampiros y asi como que pura broma ya hasta los caps finales hay una seriedad, digamos que la serie ta rarona pero cumple, creo que es la 1ra serie que veo con esta temática de predestinados tons muy bien:)Considerați utilă această recenzie?
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Camp y con un vestuario que desestabilizará tu química cerebral
1000 Years Old es una propuesta complicada de definir. Un vampiro que parece no entender su propia existencia, o no querer compartirla, que se enamora, nuevamente, de un humano que no es capaz de comprender sus propios sentimientos. Todo eso, adornado con el poder de la amistad para sacar adelante una extraña obsesión relacionada con la sopa de sangre de cerdo.¿Es lo peor que he visto en mi vida? No. ¿Echaré de menos el momento de ponerme a ver al chico más tonto y su vampiro? Sí. ¿Volvería a verla? Definitivamente no. ¿Quiero saber más de Shane y de Opal en el futuro? Definitivamente.
Aun habiendo hecho este viaje consciente de las deficiencias del guion, siento que el último episodio es una falta de respeto para la audiencia, un ejercicio pobre de storytelling que intenta dar una motivación a la búsqueda entre sí de los protagonistas, pero que acaba por robarle el alma a la historia.
Una pena, porque ya había leído esa tendencia por parte de este creador.
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медленно и нудно
Сразу говорю, пришла не из-за жанра. Пришла из-за Шейна. Но это было не выносимо нудно, медленно и порой я чувствовала себя дураком. Жаль потраченного времени. Мне этот лакорн наивный детский какой то. Актёры старается. Но мне не зашло кринж. Вампир какой то добренький влюбленный. Суп с кровью помогает ему. Для 14 летний подростком подойдетConsiderați utilă această recenzie?
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What even is this !!!
I don’t even know what this is , it’s a low budget type show the sound affects are ass ! especially in ep 9 Wtf are those slaps! Idk how this even came out as a show because wtf it has an alright plot but i was so tempted to drop it after every episode ! i’m So surprised i even got to the 10th episode! overall 7/10 It’s an alright show if you like shows where you’re questioning why you’re even watching it.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Quirky, Odd, But Viscerally Intriguing
This series left me in a complete conundrum. I honestly do not know what to think or make of this series. It left me exceedingly flummoxed. To be sure, it is a series about vampires but not in any traditional sense of how I understood vampires. This particular vampire was likeable; good even. In addition, to being heavenly handsome. He tells everyone he is a vampire but literally begs them for secrecy. It is one of the many ironies in this series. In fact, everything about this series is quirky. All I know is that I viscerally enjoyed the quiet fortitude that this series gave me. I am sure it is just me.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Its one of my favorites.
A thousand years old is a pretty good show in my opinion. I liked how the actors had chemistry. I also liked how this show was not very sexual and they didn't have a lot of NC scenes and it wasn't spicy. it was sweet and funny and near the ending was kind of sad. I cried a lot but it's a really good show and I think a lot of people should watch it.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
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A series to sink our fangs and leave us bloodless
Vampires have been a fascination in both film and television. These beings have flooded literature and horror films and series, given the mystery and fascination that the public has felt for them. It is normal if we take into account that these mysterious and seductive subjects sleep in coffins, feed on the blood of their victims and cannot stand sunlight, among other attractive qualities for the public.Film and television have also witnessed various versions of vampires who have developed a homosexual love relationship, such as the one between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt giving life to Lestat and Louis, respectively, in 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994). ), by Neil Jordan, based in turn on the 'Vampire Chronicles' saga (1976-2014) by Anne Rice, in which various characters alternate with intense homoerotic content.
As a symbol of transgressive and predatory sexuality, homosexuality in vampirism has been used as a cinematographic resource. Already in 19th century literature, it was present to show the vampire as a metaphor for homosexuality where "the undead" is a creature that appears human but must hide its true nature to avoid rejection and persecution from the society that surrounds it. . Television series have contributed to reconfiguring the figure of the vampire.
As a type of literature aimed at a homosexual audience developed during the 20th century, the vampire lost its transgressive sexuality as part of its predatory nature, and homosexuality became just another feature of it, without a clear difference from the homosexuality.
Male vampire homosexuality appears directly reflected for the first time as a comic element in 'The Fearless Vampire Killers' (1967), by Roman Polanski, where the first gay vampire on film appears, the effeminate son of Count Von Krolock.
On television, vampire homosexuality has appeared very occasionally. The main vampire and gay-themed television series is 'The Lair', produced by here! in 2007, a work that is aimed mainly at a homosexual audience.
For its part, the Chilean horror and romance soap opera 'Conde Vrolok', written by Pablo Illanes and produced by Televisión Nacional de Chile in 2009, shows one of its characters, Úrsula Donoso, having lesbian relationships with several women in the plot. .
The American dark fantasy horror television series 'True Blood', produced and created by Allan Ball and based on 'The Southern Vampire Mysteries', a series of novels by Charlaine Harris, features vampiric lesbianism in the figures of vampires Pam de Beaufort and Sophie-Anne Leclerq.
Along with GMMTV's 'My Golden Blood', 'My God! Vampire, Very Good' and 'The Vampire Project', from Studio Wabi Sabi, '1000 Years Old' tells a vampire-themed story.
Something in common that the aforementioned titles have with each other is that their premise is to intrigue and entertain the public with strong doses of mystery and action with a mix of a captivating supernatural plot and a love story between boys.
The series, which makes no apologies for its queerness with enough content of a homosexual vampire loving a boy, gives off strong homoerotic vibes to please all fans of the genre.
The drama, which depicts a blossoming romance between a vampire who has lived for almost a thousand years and a human, marks the return of Nutchapol Cheevapanyaroj (Shane) in a BL, now as the main protagonist, after 'My Engineer' (2020). He is joined by promising rookie actor Kritsapatorn Napawiwattanaku (Opal), who makes his debut in a drama and does so in a genre in which he can show off his artistic talent: BL.
From the first episode it can be seen that the series has proposed giving a supernatural twist to the traditional BL genre, by exploring an unlikely relationship between a vampire and a human.
The tone of comedy is very positive as a key element to expose the story between moments of humor and others of romance, while the characters face the unique challenges that this dynamic brings.
In this supernatural romance, what will be Yo's reaction when he discovers the truth behind Pun's identity? Will someone try to interfere with their romance? Can love materialize? Will a vampire and a human be able to love each other? Will this love end beautifully and be timeless like the longevity of vampires?
Pun, a mysterious and cool young man, has lived a simple life as an ordinary person. Around him, people are born, grow old and die, and he remains with a face similar to that of a 25-year-old young man. He lives alone in an apartment and rarely goes outside, only to go to a store near his house where he buys pig's blood soup. This is also the favorite restaurant of Yo, a third-year student who also enjoys Pun's favorite dish. This is where the two protagonists will meet.
From the first meeting, both feel a strong connection after introducing themselves with their respective names. From that moment on, they will deepen the bond. Yo begins to know the truth behind Pun: he was actually not a normal human being, but a vampire who had been living in this world for over a thousand years. He will be struck by the fact that his new friend uses the pronoun "I" to refer to himself and calls others by "sir", which is unusual for teenagers these days.
Only I know Pun's well-kept secret, with whom he has begun to open up and trust him with even his own life. Pun did not want to reveal it to anyone else, fearful of what might happen to him if the truth were revealed. Now, why does Pun agree to tell Yo everything? As his feelings for his friend grow stronger, Pun will understand that he wants to grow a love relationship between the two.
Unlike other series about vampires, Champ Weerachit Thongjil's “monster” is the most human and sensitive monster that any viewer will ever encounter. Its creator has let romance arise freely and spontaneously between these two beings totally opposite to each other.
The series does not shy away from intimate moments, both emotional and physical, between our two protagonists.
With this new BL romantic comedy by Champ Weerachit Thongjil, the same director of '2gether The Series', 'Kiss Me Again: Pete-Kao' and 'I Will Knock You', a collaboration project is established between the production companies Feel Good Bangkok and Study H8.
Since the very announcement of '1000 Years Old', fans have been extremely happy for the BL series and are shouting their joy on social media. “The love between the two will be eternal”, “They are both happy” or “This vampire will sink his teeth into you and leave you without blood”, are some of the most striking comments.
Also starring are Mind Sathittha Sinsakhan (as Kaemsai), Looktan Phusanisa Faichaipakdee (Yam), Boy YourMOOD (Chin), Jo Ployukon Rojanakatanyu (Phakwan), Mae Warisara Asawapattanakul (Bowie), Poon Mitphakdee (Chalui), Boss Natthakit Sangwankitruechai (Somchai), Jomjam Kanpitcha Phongphanit (Chanja).
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