a sweet commercial

Overall: this is basically a 7 minute commercial, but it's cute and a nice way to spend 7 minutes. Aired on Thai Mini Series YouTube Channel and their Tik Tok channel.

Content Warning: non con picture taking

What I Liked
- sweet/flirty moments
- that there was a decent "plan"

Room For Improvement
- wish they had released this as one 7 minute video on YouTube
- episode 6 had a Korean subtitle instead of English, apparently it was "hope we're on the same page"
- the ending felt incomplete
- wish they added all episodes to their YouTube playlist and/or added cards for the next episode (after it was available) to make it easier to watch them all (or combined them into 1 video as I mentioned)

Citeste mai mult

Well that took a turn....

Overall: I'd rate the first part (until 8min 25sec, just end it there, trust me) an 8. It felt a bit contrived but the NSFW was done well and steamy (no fake kissing there). But the 2nd part just took such an unfortunate turn. Also I think a better summary is "a security guard meets a bartender and things go down south" (or was he actually a police officer? I don't know the uniforms...). Watched on Gagaoolala.

Content Warnings: stealing, trespassing, violence, murder?

What I Liked
- the first 8min and 25sec

What I Disliked
- everything past 8min and 25sec, this all seemed so unnecessary and done for shock value

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Poly & Ace Representation!

Overall: Though there are areas they could improve on, I'm giving this a 9 because it has poly and ace representation which is rare. I really wish this was a whole series and we were able to see how their relationship started and what happens after this short film because 18 minutes was definitely not long enough. Also, the filmmaker received $638 USD to make this film as part of a Matchbox competition and I'm extra impressed with that budget. Purchased for $3.88 USD and watched on Vimeo.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked:
- they did give some information about asexuality, especially Minho's conversation with his friend (though the acting seemed a bit wooden there)
- I liked the times that they had good communication*
- the reference to Long Time No See (it was the movie that they were watching, I've watched it so many times I recognized it just by the sound lol)
- production value is good considering they had almost no budget

Room For Improvement:
- I didn't really like that quote at the beginning which makes it seem that polyamory is almost here. It's here and it's been here since the dawn of time.
- it was an odd way to start. I don't like when people take pictures of sleeping people and I wasn't sure how the two knew each other. 
- *on the couch at the beginning, do the other two not know what Minho likes/dislikes/boundaries??? Why haven't they had conversations about this? Also, that conversation in the bar seemed odd. Wouldn't the two of them discussed it beforehand? (though I did like the follow up conversation they had later).

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Movie version is better than the series version

Overall: The 80 minute movie version focuses on Bank & Golf instead of the many characters in the bloated 270 minute 9 episode series (I dropped the series due to numerous random characters and not understanding or caring what was going on). This is set 5 years later from the movie My Bromance (2014) where I hated the ending but the retcon in this is so stupid. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked:
- acting from Fluke & Fluke
- Golf did apologize several times and Golf's dad apologized once to Golf
- Golf saying that he wants Bank to be happy even if that means Golf and Bank aren't together
- Golf & Bank's appropriate couple shirts towards the ends and also their sweet moments

Room For Improvement:
- that is the stupidest/non logical retcon I've ever seen. Why would Golf or Bank's friends ever agree to that? Golf could have at least had amnesia (after the brain operation) and the parents shipped him abroad and then made up the lie that he died.
- Bank is so calm when he learns the very shocking news that the love of his life is not dead and his loved ones lied to him for 5 years, I thought he would drop the phone at least
- Bank's lack of yelling, breaking some dishes, really anything at people who lied to him for 5 years!!!
- the love triangle was totally unnecessary and per usual, I didn't like it
- dismal set design, the bookcase/cupboard by the stairs didn't have anything it it, it looked like the house was not lived in
- the hardcoded subtitles went missing in a few parts

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A rarely told relationship story

Overall: Though I would have preferred they went about it another way, I was so happy with the way this ended (and it's practically never seen) hence the 8.5 rating. And if you like kissing with tongue, then you will be in heaven. Watched on gagaoolala.

Content warnings: there are four very sexually explicit scenes - they are all consensual, 1 non con choking

What I Liked
- features an established m/m couple
- when Otoya's dad says Otoya is not a normal man because he's gay, Otoya tells his dad to not say discriminatory things like that
- the bartender's wisdom/lines towards the end
- a sequel to this would be amazing

Room For Improvement
- it's only 1 hour long so things are a bit choppy/jumpy/fast moving. I think they could have maybe removed a character/s and focused more on the central three.
- didn't like the physical violence

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A Short Horror BL Movie

Content Warnings: it's in the horror genre so there are a few jump scares/gory make up (as someone who doesn't like horror I found it okay to watch but not right before going to sleep)

Overall: not my favorite short from Strongberry, but an interesting entry in the horror genre

What I Liked
- tried to do something different and incorporate the horror genre
- the acting and production value was fine
- a very nice nsfw scene
- cameo from the actor in Some More

Room For Improvement
- it was rushed/choppy especially with the ending, definitely could have used a longer run time

(fyi you can purchase this on their Vimeo channel)

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a jerk and an idiot with good chemistry

Overall: We managed to get not just 1 but then a 2nd jerk main leads (well Aioon was maybe more of an idiot). They had good chemistry, but things just didn't make sense. Watched on Gagaoolala.

Content Warnings: physical violence, fight scene, threatening violence to employees, manipulation, mental health issue, bullying

What I Liked
- Aioon and Nawee had good chemistry (they looked comfortable in intimate scenes, I would like to see these actors together in another series)
- Jeff Satur is singing the OST
- pretty good production value (I liked that mirror reflection shot in the last episode)

Room For Improvement
- I really didn't like Nawee's behavior/character. Past trauma doesn't give you an excuse to be a total a**hole - if they had shown his dad/step brother being abusive in the past and then Nawee had character growth, I would have been better with that
- the cliche wannabe wife/girlfriend plot*
- *this just made me dislike Aioon for stringing her along for who knows how many years, so Aioon is a jerk too
- I don't understand why Aioon had such a sudden change of heart. Nawee treated him terribly and then one finger suck and he's in love???
- Aioon is also an idiot, who tries to cure anxiety/phobia like that? If it were that easy, then people wouldn't have anxiety/phobia.
- cliche drama at the end and then a rushed ending with a flashback montage
- that dad's character didn't make sense. Why would he have Nawee run the company only to then later switch it to his step brother? If the dad hates Nawee that much he would never have let him run it in the first place.
- I think they should have cut the adopted brother character and made Nawee's assistant and Aioon's brother be romantic or used that time to develop the Nawee/Aioon plot more
- the mullet (I didn't take points off for this, but I dislike mullets)

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mix of silliness and seriousness

Overall: I enjoyed the intentional/self aware humor and the series ended well. However I was disappointed with the way they handled something that is a crime in episode 9. Aired on YouTube. Note: the m/f couple had the most screen time but there are two m/m couples and for once I actually enjoy the m/f leads.

Content Warnings: non con picture/video taking, stalking

What I Liked
- the self aware/intentional humor including some subverted tropes (though there were actual tropes as well)
- the cute moments
- calling out sasang as bad BL fans who invade privacy/go too far*
- they used actual musicians for close ups instead of fake playing
- friendship and sibling dynamics
- production value

Room For Improvement
- *wth terrible excuse from that character for doing something dangerous and illegal, I took off a full point for this, the message should have been 'stalking people is wrong, illegal and hurtful and there are major consequences for those who stalk others - DON'T STALK PEOPLE!' I was okay with how that plot ended up but I think this whole plot thread could have been executed better.
- never a fan of love triangles
- the 1 romantic pair that wasn't a slow burn did not get enough screen time and too much of their relationship development happened off screen
- gay for you trope (they could have set this up differently but it came across as gay for you trope)

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had hoped for more from this premise

Overall: an interesting premise that wasn't developed enough. 10 episodes about 20 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala & Viki. Note, there are extra scenes after some of the end credits.

Watch Suggestions:
- if you want to skip moping/flashbacks start episode 8 at 17:30
- unless you like (in my opinion) poorly done angst stop watching episode 9 at 5 minutes and then start episode 10 at 21:50

Content Warnings: non con picture taking, dub/non con kiss, non con touching, grief

What I Liked
- unique premise with a clear set up
- sweet/cute moments
- funny moments (the dream with the soap was a highlight)
- foreshadowing
- episode 6 Stay By My Side cameo

Room For Improvement
- slow pacing with a ton of flashback montages, also half of episode 8 was moping
- the only 2 female characters were cliches (repeatedly ignoring boundaries), too much time spent on them
- nonsense (and not talking about the obvious), do university students in Taiwan have their professor's personal cell phone numbers, his household supplies were stored in the living room on a bookcase, a supposedly intelligent and caring character is stupid and cruel
- they never really delved/explained the world building, and I realized this was a romance but there really wasn't any examination of ethics, only the human character focusing on himself and how he will be sad
- poorly done/cliche angst, there were many opportunities for drama but the writers chose the most cliche one
- that gap was waaayyyy too long and then there was about 3 minutes at the end???
- some of the camerawork felt low budget

Citeste mai mult

good ingredients with a subpar recipe

Overall: they had a lot of great elements but unfortunately messed up the writing. 6 episodes 45 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala and re-aired on YouTube.

Watch Suggestions:
- watch ep 1-3
- watch up to 28 minutes in episode 4 and then 39-42 minutes
- skip episode 5
- watch episode 6 starting at 24 minutes to the end (although 11-15 minutes was good too)

Content Warnings: manipulation, shoves

What I Liked
- supportive grandma
- Atom (also the brother's relationship)
- Peach pushed back against Shin at times
- production value (cinematography)
- (neutral) comedy sound effects, they weren't overpowering

Room For Improvement
- too many love triangles for a short run time, needed to really build up 1 main couple
- I don't like either of Peach's love interests as they are both throwing red flags right and left (no you don't get to ban your significant other from hanging out with their friend, no you don't lie about dating and use a person as if they were a trophy)
- why did no one apologize to Peach, maybe Shin did off screen but we didn't see it?!?
- too little character growth too late, there seemed to be a little bit but Shin backslide too far
- rushed pacing and then wasted screentime on a bunch of angst, some choppiness as well
- cliche plot points: got sick after getting wet trope, saw something and made an assumption, failure to communicate clearly

Citeste mai mult

so much potential

Overall: this series could have been a 9.5 for me with the amount of potential but the writing didn't deliver. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each, 2 episodes per week. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40439c-boys-be-brave and on GagaOOLala (in Macau, Hong Kong & Taiwan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4231/boys-be-brave-2024-e01

Content Warnings: harassment, punch/fight

Watch Suggestions (I will update tomorrow with a complete list)
episode 7 watch 3:40-5:40, 26:30-27:25
episode 8 watch 7-9 minutes, 24:30-25:25

What I Liked
- the friend relationship
- direct communication when it happened
- funny moments
- switching perspectives
- character growth with main couple
- end of episode 3
- one of the best hugs ever

Room For Improvement
- what we saw at the beginning of episode 5 needed to be shown much sooner so I could have rooted for the main couple's relationship, it felt like the 1 guy was playing games
- needed to get rid of the mostly cliched female character and family drama to focus more on the two couples
- the second couple had wasted screen time, also 1 character was cruel in the past and in the present and the other was content to be a doormat, needed a better explanation in the past and more/faster character growth in the present, then an unsatisfying ending
- 'because the writer said so' stuff, why would a character be so open to a woman he just met when his characterization up to that point has been more closed/prickly, why does a character go from punches/hate to being a simp
- most of episode 7 was wasted on family drama, episode 8 had a ton of wasted screen time too
- beginning of episode 8 was extremely choppy with a multitude of flash backs/forwards, characters in different locations

Citeste mai mult

So Bad It's Good!!!

Overall: I don't even know how to rate this series. If you watch it at double speed and think of it as a cheesy soap opera, it is wildly entertaining. However, it is not a serious or realistic bdsm or mafia romance. Aired on Gagaoolala & YouTube (YouTube has some of the (few) steamy scenes shortened/cut))

Content Warnings: murders, gore/blood, kidnapping, slaps/beaten up/violence, manipulation, dub con bdsm (in the first instance), non con touching (sleeping), manhandling, maybe under 18 (in the book Baiboon is 15 but they don't say his age in the series)/age gap side relationship

What I Liked
- this has so much nonsense (pirouette lap sits, shots of running water, zero research into bdsm, Kim making the stupidest decisions). I put this stuff as Room For Improvement as well because it's either awesome or terrible depending on how you watch this series. I laughed so hard every episode.  
- appreciated the multiple consent check ins in the initial "bdsm" scene
- the bodyguard shower scene was totally random but hot

Room For Improvement
- random long shots of faucets running, shoes on the bed, awful tattoo
- nonsensical actions and dialogue, Kamol couldn't find another partner in a large city??? Why is Kim so appealing? Why refuse to do something and then instantly gives in? A sample line, Kamol says to Kim "don't worry I'm not involved in drugs or human trafficking"
- the other side couples were not well developed
- awful kissing (but apparently that first scene had zero workshops and the two leads had never worked with each other so that's the production's fault)
- not just 1 but three annoying wannabe girlfriend/boyfriend characters
- zero research into bdsm, also wounds that don't match and look like they were drawn on with lipstick
- slow pacing (watched most on double speed)
- didn't like the overhead camera shots in the beginning and there were some really odd transition shots (like the faucet running water)
- English subs on top of the Thai subs when they were speaking Korean was difficult to read
- they should have cut out the bobblehead commercial breaks

Citeste mai mult

adorable adaptation

Overall: the first episodes really wowed me with honoring the source material/Japanese series but putting its own Thai touch on it. There were a few items I wish had been done differently but a solid romcom that I enjoyed. 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on VIU with English subtitles (you need a VPN first set to Thailand and then click on the link) https://www.viu.com/ott/th/en/vod/2281332/Cherry-Magic-30-ยังซิง

Content Warnings: harassment, manhandling, body shaming, non con recording, vomiting, homophobia

What I Liked
- good reference to the manga
- sweet/cute moments
- funny parts
- good kissing/intimacy
- Achi and Karan had some solid communication and cleared up misunderstandings relatively quickly
- Achi's parents
- Karan's sister talking to their parents
- production value

Room For Improvement
- though I looked forward to the increased runtime, it ended up dragging a little at certain points
- happy they avoided the episode 11 curse but that was a stupid "plan"
- similar to the manga (but dissimilar to the Japanese live action) Karan was too grabby a few times with Achi
- space sound they sometimes had when Achi heard inner thoughts
- cat looked very well fed/taken care of for a stray cat
- did the dancer's hair change color at times? (continuity error?)
- disappointed with Pai's character, she gave an awesome empowerment speech towards the beginning of the series and then they had her go a very familiar route
- the m/m couple needed more screentime/development shown
- overt product placement is a negative as compared to the Japanese series but I didn't take off points for product placements as it funds series
- GMMTV should have released that statement right when they removed the first 2 episodes from YouTube at the end of December instead of 3 months later admitting that it was their fault for the lack of international release (did not take off points from my review)

(updated April 6th 2024 after GMMTV's official statement) https://twitter.com/GMMTV/status/1776414522393391494
International Release: on December 20th 2023 after 2 episodes aired on YouTube internationally, GMMTV stated that it could no longer air Cherry Magic internationally. It then aired on VIU to those in Thailand (had English subtitles). Finally 3 months later GMMTV release an official statement saying that due to their mistake with the contract they cannot air the series outside of Thailand and are working on copyright and licensing for every country. Let this be a lesson to all production companies to clearly state in your contract international streaming rights.

Citeste mai mult

groundbreaking in some areas and reinforced stereotypes/terrible in others

Overall: I liked how they brought up several current social issues but episode 6 pretty much wrecked the series for me (see more info in my comment). It is obvious that the 2 directors and 3 writers were all men, this thing will age like milk. Aired on YouTube.
Note: there may be words/discussion in this review that people find triggering.

Content Warnings: rape (beginning of episode 6 more info in my comment), violence/beaten up, kidnapping/held against will, bullying, homophobia, transphobia, non con kissing, non con photo taking/posting, body shaming, sexual harassment, unwanted public outing

What I Liked
- bringing up and educating about social issues, ones I thought they did well include: school having sex education class, abortion, body shaming, non penetrative sex, educating about HPV, addressing transphobia
- sexual orientation and gender diversity (m/m, f/f and m/f couples; non binary character, a trans woman character who isn't the comic relief cliche)
- that they didn't shy away from showing NSFW scenes
- I enjoyed a lot of the music

Room For Improvement
- the writer/s really messed up on several issues:
      1. more information under a comment with spoiler tag but the whole Alex and Jean thing in episode 6, they should have focused on the part with the pictures. The fact that people can't agree that Alex raped Jean (which he 100% did, you can say stop at any point for any reason at all) shows how badly the writers messed this plotline up. And that he continually violates her boundaries by talking to her. His friends come up with the plan to retraumatize Jean by again contacting her and then kissing her in order to get his orgasm back. His friends don't know that Alex raped Jean but Alex definitely knows this and yet he goes along with their plan WTF?!? And I predicted they would end it as they did, vomit.
      2. BDSM conflated with cheating and poor communication - I was so happy to see consensual puppy play but was disappointed they went the poor communication, her not really being into it and him cheating (and yes he emotionally cheated and lied by omission). I didn't want her to take him back (welp update, guess what happened bleh)
     3. Open relationship conflated with poor communication and not as good as monogamy - again I guess it was too much to hope we'd see a healthy open relationship. Instead we got them fighting/hitting each other and really bad communication before they eventually made up. And now it appears they are getting married and end up in a monogamous relationship.
4. Army and Jo - I really wanted them to work through their differences but once again in episode 11 Army is ignoring/pushing Jo's boundaries with what he feels comfortable with. I'm not saying their relationship couldn't work but I wanted to see more communication and mutual decision making. I also didn't like how they made Army violate Alex's boundaries a few times, this felt like the stereotypical gay guy who can't keep his hands off of others.
5. Kat - again they are positioning monogamy as superior to non monogamy
6. The workplace sexual harassment - eventually they showed the boss as a douche but some people are really touchy feely in a non-sexual way. I wanted the writers to make it more clear cut. So have him make an inappropriate remark "your breasts look great in that shirt" or Liu tell him to stop touching her and then he continued. As I later state, it annoyed me that Alex and Ew had to be involved at all/come to the rescue. Instead of Liu punching him, what about getting the boss other consequences like suspended without pay/fired? I would have written this plot differently.

- that Alex continues to be a gynecologist with his only training being a short tutorial on giving a pelvic exam (because that obviously is sufficient instead of years of medical school/internship #sarcasm). He should have taken vacation or a leave of absence. It's insulting that he continues to give (perhaps dangerous and incorrect) medical advice to his patients.
- whatever happened with Jean's endometriosis? (in a comment someone said that this was not endometriosis but was from a poorly done abortion, however, they never explicitly state this so I feel that a very serious medical issue was not resolved/explained well)
- Kat, why did it seem like she was having her mug shots taken? There is 1 line about him being arrested but I would have liked them to actually show him arrested and put into jail.
- too many characters/plots meant not enough screentime/not fully developed characters and plots, I also think they should have reduced the number of social issues and brought them up more organically, it felt like an after school special at some points
- Alex positioned as everyone's savior so that he can climax, this was annoying and shallow. Army even specifically asked Alex not to talk to Jo and Alex ignored him and talked to Jo. Then Alex starts yelling at Liu's boss and ignores her even though she repeatedly asks Alex to stop. They should have focused on going back in time and left the whole orgasm part out of it.
- Ew proposing at his friend's wedding, I thought this was a universal no-no, Ew it isn't your day!
- the writers tried to have flawed/complex characters but instead they made a**hole characters that I don't want to watch/don't want to see certain couples be together
- not satisfied with the ending, obviously the writers haven't heard of the butterfly effect....

Citeste mai mult

silly and short series

Overall: this is a short romcom filled with cliches, but it made me laugh so I rated it an 8. Aired on Rookie Thailand's YouTube channel and their TikTok.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked
- it made me laugh a few times (including the drunk dancing)
- (neutral) comedy sound effects

Room For Improvement
- the organizing guy was unprofessional in the beginning, but he made amends
- this thing was full of cliches but it really didn't bother me that much
- that didn't really feel like an ending, wish they had more fully developed/concluded the story

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