Wholesome BL Series

I was very tired at watching BL themed around high school especially Thai BL, but somehow when I see the cover for this series and proceed to find the synopsis about it something just clicked on my mind and it's telling me to go and give this series a try.

WHICH IS ONE OF THE BEST DECISION I EVER MAKE!!!

This might seem biased, but I just can't seem to find anything that I dislikes from watching this series from start to finish

Story: The synopsis seems simple yet somehow it managed to hook me in giving this series a try. Later on the story develops into something wonderful and very unexpectedly fresh to me. There is almost no useless scenes (yeah, I came to enjoy even those product placement scenes) and the most important thing is that there are no exhausting unneeded drama. What I got instead are good comedies, small but abundant romantic gestures, and lots of very likeable characters that is written like what they are in the show, high school students. The show can balance between unnecessary problems between the character but still giving the context of high school students being high school students

Music: This is the first series where in every episode I watch, I prepared my phone right beside me so I can directly google search the songs played. They are seriously all that good and match the scene and mood where they are played. It's also a plus point that the show is about music club and they did not fail in delivering awesome music in every episodes

Acting: Fourth and Gemini did not seem like new actors. Instead they felt like they have starred in lots of movies/series before this. Their interaction and gestures to each other doesn't feel like they are being forced or stiff in any way. Each smile, each laugh, each expression that they made brings Tinn and Gun to life. We got a very convincing smart school president chasing after a very cute and silly music club leader through both of their performances. Beside that, as long as I remember, we also got the same level of acting from the other cast as well. No awkward pauses, no flat faces, just a very enjoyable acting from all the cast

Rewatch Value: I'm usually not someone who would watch a series after I watched it the first time. But for this, they are definitely something that I can rewatch, especially when I'm feeling down or just in need for some extra sugar

Special Note: Just want to emphasis again that what I like most out of it is how the story itself doesn't give unnecessary drama just to make cheap conflict between the characters. All sources of conflict is just from external factors or high school students behaving like a high school students.

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Sweet Silly Fantasy Special Episodes with Plotholes

I have to say that the transition from a bodyguard/boss story into a fantasy-themed one with reverse reincarnation is shocking! Maybe because they only have 2 episodes or about 100 minutes to make up the rule of the fantasy, give explanations on how it could happens, and not to mention the actual story in the past itself, the overall plot seems to be full of holes and there are some questions as well. But considering this is a special and the fact that I have bias for BL series, I'll just try to enjoy the overall theme and story without thinking much about the plot holes.

I could enjoy the historical theme more, if they explain or give rough descriptions on what time period they were reverse reincarnated to. Love the role reversal where Palm becomes the lord while Nueng is the servant and how the power dynamic is shifted according to their new roles. Love the moments where they talk about their plans for the future and when they have differing opinions, they can talk it out (although I think you would need to talk more than that especially discussing important matters like that). Also loves it that both Palm and Nueng shows they have each their own good and bad quality but they still stick to each other despite of that. Last but not least, loves that Palm seems to make decision at the end because it's what he wants as well and not because it's what he thought would be the best for them

Side couples come as a surprise to me! Even though they only have a few minutes of screentime, apparently I was too invested in their story. I unexpectedly shed some tears when in the current era, Phum (Petch) and Kan (Kla) are boyfriends too. It feels like they got what they deserves, even when they couldn't be together in the past era.

P.S. love the eye refreshments scene *wink

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Suprise Day is really Surprising

You know that saying that having kids will change your whole world? I guess that's what they're going for this time.

I love domestic moments in BL series and this special take it into another level with the addition of a child that they need to take care of. Love how Puen got so whipped with the kid and Talay, even though he has his doubts, also gives in and try his best to care for the random kid who showed up out of nowhere. They ended up almost having a real family dynamics and touches a bit about the challenges of having a kid.

Their house also amazes me since it incorporates the small things that is their unique experience of travelling to other universe.

P.S. there is less kissing scenes in this special perhaps because a minor is around, but Jigsaw really won me over with how cute he is

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Pure Chaos Personified as A Sentai Shows

This might not be the best sentai shows, but it sure is one of the most unforgettable sentai shows that I ever watch (and I watch all from Jetman until this one). Now hear me out, or technically read me out.

Main storyline for a sentai show usually has the same premise everytime, there is big bad villain that wants to destroy/conquer the whole world and in their way stands a group of people who usually armed with the right power just to oppose them. Big bad sends minions each week for a year and then it ends with the sentai team fighting the final boss.

BUT THAT IS NOT HOW THIS ONE GOES

From the start, Yellow is struck with unluckiness and somehow roped into the team. It is only until this point that it follows the normal sentai trope. What follows afterward are sentai teams that band together only when fighting the monster, teams that never really know each other until a few episodes in and only fully know each other on the last 10 episodes, many personal arc for each of the member, monster that were not part of any faction, and enemy general that all has personalities. Hereon it just pure chaos. You can never know what will happen next, why it happen, and how the heck can that happen. I can't even imagine how the final episode will be about and how this will end. Each member has their own story and motivations to keep being Donbrothers beside fighting to keep people safe. Not to mention their personalities also differ from each other yet they can still work as a cohesive team

Overall, watching Donbrothers felt more like watching a drama series with tokusatsu and fantasy elements since it is more heavily focused on the characters and story arc rather than exploring on the lore about the villains faction. By the end of the final episode, you can see the result of each character journey. How they finally kind of find what that they wants at the start of the series. The sad part is that it did not really delve on the villain faction as I stated before. There are no final showdown with the big boss and no explanation what happens with the villain faction after it.

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BL Series with that tries to tackle how adulting works

At start, I did not watch any trailer for Moonlight Chicken, that is why when seeing the first episode with the diner and the streets I immediately feel this is going to be different from all the other series I have watched so far. And it is true. If usually we get series focusing on middle to upper class environments, whether it is highschool/university/workplace, this series gave us a glimpse of how different it is for the middle to lower class. The tone color, furniture, and even the places where they shoot feels to me like I am seeing another side of Thailand that I have never seen before. It is a very great choice considering the story will be focusing on a Chinese chicken rice seller.

For the story, it also felt like a fresh breath of air because it includes the struggle of being an adult (working, paying your bills, taking care of family, trying to find romance) and the struggle of youth trying to take the path less taken (wanted to work instead of continuing studies). Great job for all the actors trying to bring the story to life.

Now let me get the easiest and most lovable pair out right away: Li Ming and Heart. I love them. I love how they interact. I love how it differs when they were in MSP (although there is still that same chin-stroking gesture). The only thing that could make their story better is if it shows how Heart helps to make Li Ming a better person too, since all we can see is how Li Ming helps Heart to be happier after not being able to go out after his accident.

Next pair(s) are the main couple Jim and Wen and Alan and Gaipa. What I thought is a simple story about Wen trying to flirt with Jim while Gaipa is also interested in Jim turns out to be more complicated when it was revealed that Jim had a boyfriend that he thought is cheating on him in the past and that Wen is living with someone else in his condo that might implies he is cheating with Jim. While we all know that Jim ultimately ended up with Wen, their story about wanting to be with someone that they like are still kept in a good way with no unneeded drama. They are not afraid to try and get what they want, no beating around the bush (except Jim because of his past baggage). But I do wish there are other catalyst that enable Alan and Gaipa to meet than what actually happens in the series.

There are also other great supporting characters in this series such as Gaipa's mom who I thought is the best and supportive parent here, Saleng and Praew who I wish had more screen time and tells the story about how they try to prepared a baby when they did not plan for it, and Li Ming's mom who tries to reconnect with her son.

Lastly for the music, the opening song caught me off guard since I did not watch the trailer and never in my wildest dream thought they would use chinese song for this movie. Ending song is perfect as well to be the companion when watching this series. They both will be added to my spotify if available.

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Fluff, Just Pure Tooth-Rotting Fluff

Picked up this series because I think I saw a review that said this is just pure sweet stuff and boy was that true.

Story:
Story starts with Ai being forced to come back home by his dad because he was expelled from his university. His dad helped him to get into a university where he used to teach and that's when he met Nhai for the first time and likes him. Thanks to one duck keychain, their first interaction happens although no name is exchanged. What follows is just sweet fluff where after a drunk event, Ai is living with Nhai on a trial boyfriend period.

What happens next is just them being in a domestic living together, spending time with each other, going to the uni and general day-to-day behavior. The one thing that I like from this series is that how even if Nhai seems childish and chaotic at times, he still know how to voice his likes, dislikes, concerns and feeling. This in turn makes any argument that they were having lasted only like a quarter of the episodes or so, before they communicate with each other and solves it together. There was no real villain here, and even if there are some bad people, it was dealt with quickly in just a few episodes without making it too much of a drag and it goes back to the sweet fluff again.

Subjectively, I think this is perfect because I love the domestic life fluff. But objectively speaking, there are lots of plot holes and weird scenes that don't make sense chronologically. There are also some things that I just really can't see it happening logically. But because I am a subjective person in watching BL, I chose to ignore those plot holes and illogical scenes.

Acting:
Sweet, sweet, very sweet, extra sweet, with sugar on top. But seriously, I think the acting was fine. There are definitely room for improvements but at least for me, they all are enjoyable to watch

Last words: if you just want some brainless domestic with an extra serving of skinship, do give this series a try. But if a cohesive story and scenes is a must for you, this might not be something that you would like much.

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Although this doesn't seem like it has much going on besides Kluen and Dao being cute and loving each other, it surprisingly delivers some good lines that I never found in other BL. I also likes them just being lovely with each other since after they get together, their relationships looks very healthy. This is further proved by Dao trusting Kluen even when teased by his friend (and good that he returns it to them by way of acting jealous). The surprise at the end also makes me very giddy!

Overall it's good for binge watch especially when you're feeling down and need extra sugar to boost your mood.

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Even in the Multiverse of Cuteness, Some Things Stay the Same

After watching the trailer for Our Skyy 2 x MSP and knowing it would be like some sort of AU where not only Tinn and Gun roles are switched, but also some of their friends as well I can't wait to watch how they cram all of the storyline of MSP into 2 special episodes. I thought it would play out the same exactly as the series with same lines and same situations only with different characters. Boy I was wrong, and I'm glad I was wrong.

The dynamics felt new and fresh to me, and a bit weird too sometime. You get to see Gun being reserved and have his insecurities more prominent, you get to see Tinn when he doesn't have any expectation to fulfill and free to do what he wants. Tiwson slacking around because he doesn't have to go all the way to help his best friend date his crush, Por who takes up that role feels so much more like an evil schemer.

I do sometimes feel a bit weird watching it though. We all know this is just a movie, these boys are just acting and playing their characters. Perhaps if this were a different series, I might enjoy more of their performance. But since I already watch the original, watching this OS2 x MSP sometimes felt like trying to push a piece of a puzzle but not in the correct place. There are times I'm thinking like "no, wait, he wasn't supposed to act like that, that's so weird and out of character." Then it hit me, what feels very weird is because the premise is only that they swapped their roles but not their personality.

Tinn is chaotic. Even in the original MSP he always has this out of box ideas (even if sometime Tiw helps him with it). His role as a school president, gave him some opportunity to act out all his crazy chaotic ideas while at the same time keeps him grounded a bit since he needs to maintain some composure as a school president. That is why in this special, where he is the supposedly in the music club as a free students, he is more unhinged in his stupid act (and also cuteness). A chaotic Tinn as a music club president also mean that he would not give too much thought about the no dating rules, hence he can act faster on his feelings. If only at that time Gun aren't afraid to say it to him

Gun on the other hand seems to always be well-ordered. He takes his responsibility as the music club president as best as he can. He tries to win the competition for his senior, trying to keep all of his clubmates in order and together, he doesn't even try to secretly date before the competition is over, plus he take responsibility by helping his mom at the shop too. Put him in the role of a school president and you'll see him becomes more reserved with his feelings that in turn makes him prone to more outburst when things doesn't go as his plan. In this universe, he almost did not go through with his feelings since he think too much of their difference and how he is sure it can not work out at the end. He is always the type that needs some reassurance from others before able to take his own steps.

Their roles are a perfect fit for their personality in the original series and that's why watching it like this feels like putting a different gear in a machine then expect it to work as it should. The only way to really enjoy watching this MSP special, is by letting go as far as you can about the original series and take this a new movie with a very similar plot and actors on it.

P.S. I freaking loved the new MV! Very surprised when they referencing other BLs in the love story even with the same costume and sets.

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Good Idea but Not Very Cohesive Storyline

The premise of this show is a university where instead of going through thesis defense, their students make a proposal about possible start-up projects that they will present to a panel for a chance to get the funding needed to realize it. There is also the concept of the students there divided into dorms based on their prevalent characteristics when they first come, like Hogwarts. Adds the supposed rivalry between two of the dorm and you'll get a good recipe for any romance series. Which this shows should be able to pull off, but fails since they lack the ability to tell the story in a cohesive way.

There are 3 years gap where Songkhram and Ai supposedly first met and in those 3 years supposedly Songkhram likes Ai but did not do anything to even try to get close with him. Instead Songkhram makes it seem like he likes Meen. And all of this is not shown but told to us watcher by their words. Another confusing things is that Ai supposedly did not have any feelings for Songkhram at first, but it seems even at the early episodes Ai hints that he might have a budding feelings for him. Yet at middle episodes it was said that he never has any feelings.

Similarly, this confusing relationships also shown in both side couples. Bright (I know it was listed as Pipe here, but the subtitle in WeTV listed his name as Bright) and Meen story confuse me in a way that what I thought as unrecruited feelings between them, turns out to be Bright rejecting and avoiding Meen before they even in the university but somehow at the start of the show, it doesn't show that Bright is avoiding Meen at all. Pluster and No also mirrors Songkhram and Ai for their first interaction but somehow they becomes close with each other out of nowhere despite in rivaling dorms.

The premise of rivaling dorms also wasn't really shown clearly at all here. There are nothing that shows these two dorms are rivals with each other, not physically or even academically. The only way we knew this dorms are rival is just the opening where both previous dorm leaders are fighting over Songkhram and from what the characters keep saying over and over.

There are also other examples of the plot where it might make more sense if there are additional scenes added instead of just saying what happens.

What they lack in storytelling however, they make it up with great chemistry and acting between the actors. I am also quite fond of the locations that they use for filming. Ironically, since it seems they did not even have enough time to add additional scenes to better the storyline, they also did not drag too much for the problem experienced by the characters.

Last but not least, even if I wrote what I dislike from this series longer than what I like, do believe me when I say that the good thing still outweigh the bad. Plus the last extra scene from the final episode is a nice surprise for a BL series.

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Short Yet Sweet and Wholesome

I AM LOVIN' IT!!!

Usually I don't have too much hopes high for Korean BL since most of them only has lots of cute moments but mediocre story or good story but not much skinships with each other. But this story has it all! Good story, good amount of interactions with each other, added with lots of small cute moments and a good enough acting!

One of the thing that I like from the story is it does not include unnecessary drama (but maybe that is because they do not have too much of screen time anyway). The premise is about those two boys following a long separation and how they finally realize each others feeling (well, more Wan than Ki-Tae). The dilemma each character are having is solved quickly because they know about their own feeling and can communicate it well with each other. No long drawn misunderstanding because they did not hesitate to let their own feeling known to their partner.

Personally, although I wish I can watch their interaction more, I think this story is enough. Making longer duration can impact unnecessary conflict to be added which can lower the healing and excitement value of this series.

Acting are okay from both the MC ML and the other side characters. Music are okay too and if I was bored and have time to spend I would definitely rewatch this.

P.S. Never ghost anyone. Even if the other person is a total jerk, say it to them before you disappear from their lives.

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Will Update As I Watch More Episodes

This is my try in giving each section of Our Skyy 2 a review. Writing it after each part is done, mostly because my long term memory isn't that good. Ratings for previous part might change as I watch more parts.

1. Never Let Me Go (8.5 star)
I have to say that the transition from a bodyguard/boss story into a fantasy-themed one with reverse reincarnation is shocking! Maybe because they only have 2 episodes or about 100 minutes to make up the rule of the fantasy, give explanations on how it could happens, and not to mention the actual story in the past itself, the overall plot seems to be full of holes to me and lots of questions that left unanswered. But considering this is a special and the fact that I have bias for BL series, I'll just try to enjoy the overall theme and story without thinking much about the plot holes.

I could enjoy the historical theme more, if they explain or give rough descriptions on what time period they were reverse reincarnated to. Love the role reversal where Palm becomes the lord while Nueng is the servant and how the power dynamic is shifted according to their new roles. Love the moments where they talk about their plans for the future and when they have differing opinions, they can talk it out (although I think you would need to talk more than that especially discussing important matters like that). Also loves it that both Palm and Nueng shows they have each their own good and bad quality but they still stick to each other despite of that.

Side couples come as a surprise to me! Even though they only have a few minutes of screentime, apparently I was too invested in their story. I unexpectedly shed some tears when in the current era, Phum (Petch) and Kan (Kla) are boyfriends too. It feels like they got what they deserves, even when they couldn't be together in the past era.

2. Star in My Mind (7.5 star)
I know it will be full of lovey-dovey moments from the trailers and maybe that's why I was surprised when it delivers some really good lines about healthy relationship and trusts. Watch out for the little surprise at the end, they can make you suddenly feel warm and fuzzy inside! Overall, a good mini-series to binge-watch when you need mood booster

Side couples are there, although not as much as in NLMG (and not much interaction either!!!) Happy that Typhoon is implied to be able to move on but still being friends with Dao.

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