Khun Chai Taratorn (2013)

This is my first time reviewing anything Thai so let’s see if I can do this well.

Khun Chai Taratorn is the first part of the very popular Suparburoot Jutathep series. It’s somewhat an exclusive Thai way of making dramas where three, four or five plots are connected by a main thread. In this series’ case, it’s the story of the five noble brothers, set in the after-war times in Thailand.
The first part of the story started in a promising way, it gets extra credit because it introduced us the main characters, their relationships and the general atmosphere. The premise of the plot seemed interesting; antiques robbery, cross-dressing and so on. However, the writing didn’t manage to keep things captivating. I think that’s the main issue with most Thai lakorns, they usually have interesting topics and characters but they tend to mess things up in the middle and near the end.

I found too much Indecisiveness to tolerate. Many main characters kept avoiding the obvious for the longest time that’s why the lakorn could turn out to be a little boring. Of course, the bromance moments between the brothers surely kept my interest, the way they eavesdrop on each other or plot against each other just for fun was priceless. I believe that’s the main strength of this series.

This may have been the non-interesting brother as some may call it but I surely liked Chai Yai’s character, apart from his indecisiveness of course. He was calm, caring and well-worthy of the eldest brother’s title. The acting was, not bad is all I can say. As many of you would know, Thailand doesn’t contain the greatest actors out there but they can be good enough. Grate did well with the character, at least more convincing than Preem’s acting. You see, beside Grate and Pope (playing the first and the second brother) who are well-known actors from Channel 3, Jame, Bomb and James (playing the other brothers) are newbie actors who made their breakthrough with this series so they deserve encouragement.

The female department was nice; I especially liked the two grannies. The triangle was also good, at least there’s no evil second female lead that you would gladly throw in hell. She had your average next-door neighbour girl feel into her despite being in the noble class. She was also a great friend of the female lead (something you would rarely see in lakorns or in Asian dramas in general). It’s her two sisters that I am worried about when Chai Pat and Chai Pee’s stories come; they will be the obnoxious type for sure. The second male lead in this part was also very nice and no, he wasn’t friend-zoned since he never grew a crush on the female lead in the first place.

Watch if:
-You like Thai lakorns.
-You dislike slap/kiss lakorns and prefer the other genres.
-You like good chemistry.

Do not watch if:
-You’re looking for something great.
-You’re not familiar with Thai lakorns; I wouldn’t recommend this as your starting point.
-You’re very impatient for developments to happen.

Khun Chai Taratron love story wasn’t that great to be honest, but as usual the chemistry in Thai lakorns is something you’d gladly watch. I am looking forward to the rest of this series, hoping that the other brothers’ stories will be more interesting than this.

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Good start to Suparburoot Juthathep series

●HOW I CAME TO IT
I came to tick this series off my PTW and also for James Jirayu, but little did I know that he is a supporting character in this series. And also I wanted to go with the series sequence in case there is any important stuff mentioned which I might miss.

●STORY
The synopsis says quite a bit and there is more in the series but that might take up a spoiler tag.

●PLOT VIEW
Set in the ’70s or 80’s I expected quite a lot but I was very disappointed with this series as the plot was relatively lacking. I didn’t get what the writers were trying to show, they wrote a lot of the archaeological stuff and unnecessary side character stories(am not talking about brothers) instead of giving time for the main lead's character development.
The leads Chai Yai and Maprang had a brotherly-sisterly bond since childhood, kind of gave a very incestuous feel but then I shrugged it off. Their story felt flat and they fell in love when there is a serious event takes place. as the leading pair's chemistry, I won't deny at times their relationship felt awkward, as they were unable to take up their decisions.
The cross-dressing was so dull, that I laughed hard at what Chinnakorn went through when he saw Katesara. They literally stole the show. Their story was more convincing and amusing than the leads considering they were supporting characters.

●ACTING/CAST
The series introduced the brothers which is the excellent part but at the same time, these 5 actors didn’t look like brothers at all, not even a pinch. The characters were surface-level. They could've been more but everyone was mediocre at best. My problem lies with dialogues and execution. The first is childish and repetitive, the second is average. I can see that the actors are good-looking, but that's the extent of their charm which lacks in the aspect of acting considering they are the leads.

Maprang (Preem) had a good storyline but I don't feel like she evolved she had that same expression from the first episode till the last episode.
Khun Chai Yai (Great Warintorn) was also not convincing. He felt as if he had a lot of pressure working on this. His character has no real development, he just goes with the flow of other characters' wants not what he wants, which is why I didn’t like Chai Yai.

Now I am going to talk about my fav Katesara and Chinnakorn. I have seen Katesara(Mint Nutwara) in many supporting roles but this character had the depth of emotions, goodness, and charm. She just nailed the role as Kate and Kong very convincing in her mannerisms.
Khun Chinnakorn( Deaw Suriyon), I saw him a villain in some series and couldn't believe that he could pull off this role with ease. His confusion, his care, romance were in proportion creating an entirely new person for me to see him.

●MUSIC
It was plain and simple. With that one song going on and on for the whole series.

●REWATCH
I won't rewatch it, rather complete the Juthathep Series first.

●APPRECIATION
The culture and mannerism in the ’70s is so elegant

●FAV SCENE
Chinnakorn Confession all

●RECOMMENDATION
I would recommend it to those who like family drama. It absolutely has more of a couple-dramas but still a good family story.
Also if anyone wants to watch the series, watch it in sequence, it is more satisfying considering am starting onto episode 1 of the series Khun Chai Pawonruj.

●AFTERTHOUGHT
The basic of series that the Juthathep family had to tie a knot with the Taewaprom family in the form of marriage. I kind of feel it is going to drag as there are two more clingy sisters.

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