(full disclosure: I’m a writer and have been writing for a long time and so I am very nit-picky about storyline/plots, etc. I have reviewed shows professionally for entertainment magazines.)

To start off the cinematography is pretty amazing! Both director and director of cinematography are so incredibly in sync that the story being told is so clear. The cut scenes showing flashbacks to present day are a smooth transition and easy to follow. sometimes flashbacks are confusing and don’t make sense, but not in the first episode. the long shot in episode 4 with Ryu’s first big play during the scrimmage game was done so well that viewers feel like they’re right there in it.

Overall, the production has been very impressive in the first 4 episodes.

Now for my biggest praise: the acting. Meen Nicha and Ping Krittanun have seriously upped their acting chops! Their acting coach for the show, Yokee Apirak, has turned them into truly believable characters. There is no denying that Meen and Ping have incredible chemistry, but as Freshman actors they were still noobs and finding their way through awkward line delivery and behaviors. But in the first episode alone it’s clear how much they have grown and evolved as actors and I am so incredibly proud of them. Their line delivery works so well, their banter is real, and the chemistry pops off the screen. I’m looking forward to more from Frank and Nammon as well as the entire cast.

Now the story— I have to say this is one of the best (at least for the first 4 episodes) BL sports stories I’ve seen to date. Most are not very believable and rarely even show the characters playing, it’s usually just a by-product of the character and not a central theme. In The Rebound though in order for this story to be told you needed real players and actual action footage of games being played. The choice in actors was imperative to tell this story and they chose right. I am enjoying to slow progression of the storytelling because it does not leave the viewer confused and scratching their head. They give us just enough to grasp what’s happening without giving it all away. The buildup of the interactions between Ryu and Zen is fantastic and the introduction of Atom is great. These first 4 episodes have kept me locked in and I will continue to stick with it because I must know every aspect of who Ryu and Zen are and who they will become by episode 12.

Highly recommend following this show!