Sotus: The Series (2016)

Stockholm Syndrome with a Dash of Homophobia

I went into this with so much high hopes. I love Singto. I really do. He’s a great actor and has great screen presence. I also heard good things about this series and thought ok I’ll give it a shot. And right out of the gate the whole thing goes to shit when the hazing starts. I don’t know about anyone else but having had experience with the hazing system in the US Greek System romanticizing hazing as a way to advance a romance is disgusting. People are permanently harmed and die each year due to this system. That aside lets get into it.

First off I will not fault Krist for his acting like a dick. He does it well in this movie. What he doesn’t do well is to show that he has any romantic feelings for Singto. He acts more like a 12 year old with their first girlfriend than a mature adult discovering that they’re gay and all the awakening feelings that go along with that. I know what you’re going to say - but this is just a show. Yes, I know it is. But for god’s sakes its a freaking BL romance. Let’s at least put some effort into this. And don’t get me started on the kissing scene. Krist looks like he wants to be anywhere but there and knowing his homophobic feelings I can see that on screen. These two are more just close friends than any kind of romantic partners.

The one thing I do like about this series is the fact that the few openly gay characters do not have the typical over the top played for laughs Queen behavior. There is one very flamboyant man but he doesn’t try to scream and act like a walking cliche. And one member of the inner circle is gay and they think nothing of it. This at least lends itself to his friends accepting his homosexuality right up until they exchange the leather cords at the end. You can see the friends making fun of it in the background.

All this being said I have NO hopes for the new GMMTV BL with Krist and Mike being anything more than a rehash of Krist’s disgust with performing in a BL and inability to relate to the gay characters. Let’s please stop using homophobic actors who actively hate BL and do harm to the LGBTQIA+ community at large. Instead let’s please use respectful actors, especially gay actors, and write realistic gay romance that everyone can enjoy. #maxtulforever

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This review contains spoilers.

Having read a number of glowing reviews of this show I was totally prepared to sail this ship - but wow, what a letdown. If anything, it showed me how far Thai BL shows have come in the last couple of years. Before I discuss what I didn't like, first I'll mention what I did like.

First of all, I appreciated that the women in the story were portrayed as just normal people and not crazy, stupid or boring little nothings that were 'in the way'. It's sad that this should be a breath of fresh air, but there you go.

They also had some interesting side-characters who had potential to add variety and spice to the show, but they were under-used. And I liked the character of Arthit and the actor who played him with some degree of subtlety. I also thought the sub-plot with M and May was cute.

However...

The major issue I had with this show was the character of Kongpob. Frankly, he creeped me out. I'm not sure if it was the fault of the actor or the script, but Kongpob always had this eerie smirk on his face that really set me on edge. The creepy smirk, combined with his constant do-gooder interjections, made him someone I would never trust or want to be around. He felt very fake, very false from the outset. I mean, he even smirked DURING his first kiss with Arthit. It made me shudder, and not in a good way. I thought maybe the plot would turn and he'd be revealed to be a psychopath.

I also did not really respond to the core theme of the show - the hazing rituals. They went on forever and were very repetitive, doing little to drive the plot forward beyond setting up the basic 'bully being wooed by the victim' theme. There were pacing issues throughout, with annoying gaps in any sort of forward motion.

And finally, I found it hard to understand or trace how Arthit ever came to like Kongpob, or vice versa. There was a total absence of chemistry in that relationship, and Arthit's decision to give in to Kongpob did not strike me as credible. At the end of the day, if I don't believe in the relationship the show just can't work for me. It wasn't my cup of tea, I'm afraid.

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I've already rewatched this three times, need I say I recommend it? So first I want to start off by saying that I absolutely loved the music, like the opening song for this is amazing. The story was great too, like not even just the romance of it -- which was adorable yet so agonizingly frustrating -- but the hazing dynamics of the story was amazing and really enjoyable too. I think even if they took out the romance to this series it would still stand pretty strongly with just the relationships between the seniors and their juniors. The actors were phenomenal in my opinion; they all did really well with their characters. I will say the only thing I was sad about was that Prem and Wad's relationship didn't get much attention. I don't know if they intended them to end up being a bl couple or just have a lowkey bromance but there was definitely potential for a full-blown romance between them in my opinion and I really shipped them. Their characters were really similar and I thought it was cute. I know they were just side characters but still man THE POTENTIAL. I don't know if they planned on having more of them in Sotus S, I know I saw Prem briefly and they mentioned Wad but we'll see. Anywho, I don't think there was much else I was really unhappy about.  Arthit makes the cutest face when he gets embarrassed or happy, he's so adorable. There are times when the story got pretty intense in my opinion but not in a bad way, it just was really so extremely frustrating. You know I'm not sure I've ever been so frustrated with characters who like each other but do stupid things as much as I was with Arthit and Kongpob... except for Korn and Knock they were pretty hard too. Anyways, basically, its an amazing series and you should watch it.

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Oh wow okay if you're considering watching this then stop everything right now and do it. I promise you that you won't be disappointed. This drama.... oh my lord. Everything is brilliant and I marathoned this show in a day.
The story is great, the cast are talented and funny, the music was very well fitting and I liked this so much that I've made a playlist on YouTube of all my favourite clips. I promise you, you cannot go wrong with this drama. What I particularly liked was how the relationship was addressed. It wasn't overly fanservice-y and was sweet and cute. It wasn't forced, and didn't perpetuate the common trope of "seme" and "uke" that you tend to see with lots of BL.
I 100% recommend it, and if you want more once you've finished then you'll have to wait with us all in SOTUS limbo while we wait for November to come... Season 2, I'm waiting for you!

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I find it distasteful to base a story on an actual issue. SOTUS is an incorrigible act of violation of a person's personal rights. Many have died going through it. I just feel sad that many young thais or even university students anywhere have to go through hazing. On that fact, I just do not understand why there are so many viewers who are not voicing this out.

However, to be subjective, the storyline is strong and the acting is on par. I am just worried that the romance that blooms out of SOTUS will make SOTUS an applicable and allowable act. Maybe they should think of changing the name for the second season and not make SOTUS as the frontal point of the series anymore. It would be good if they have a stronger anti-SOTUS storyline for the second series.

Let's remember those who fell by the act of SOTUS everywhere and May Karma return to all that have caused and still doing it.
#antisotus #goodseries #changethename

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Theme of the story was interesting, fun, and original. Perfect casts that portrayed their characters down to tee. Originally Singto tried for Arthit while Krist wanted Kongpob. Who would've guessed Singto & Krist are alumni from same school and Krist a year younger? LOL. What they ended up with was perfect however, and chemistry between them is so amazing that I can't imagine them with or as anyone else in the future. Oh dear..

Sad that I can't read the Online Novel 'til it's translated into English, but this drama has made me very happy. Story was simple but focused in start of everything with beginning stage of relationships, characters' development & establishment. Arthit's denial was cliche but his acceptance was endearing as well as manly. He's so charming that even his temper and meanness in the beginning was hard to hate. Meanwhile Kongpob's unconventional smooth and witty (also flirty) demeanor as a freshmen was funny but sexy. He always has biggest and brightest smile when he's with Arthit. ^^

It's a smart drama where story concept is interesting to grab your attention, but focuses on characters and their interaction & influence to make it fun. Casts wrapped it up with big pink ribbon with their charm to perfect the series. I'm a sucker for happy ending.

Check out the interview between the casts. So cute. ^^

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I just freaking loved this!!!! Can't wait for the second season too!!!!!
This is for sure the best drama series i have watched so far and let me tell i have watched a lot! The story is really freaking great and the actors are amazing too!!! The acting itself is really good cause when there are more romantic scenes they look really real and u wouldn't guess they are scripted! And since both of the main actors are really good friends it makes it even more special cause in some scenes u can see that they are showing some true emotions as well and they are rally comfortable around each other! I have already rematched the whole season 3 times and i would even with it few more times!!!

I also really liked all the supporting cast cause they really suited their roles and i felt like I'm just watching my school mates from the side! The supporting cast made the whole story even better cause they had their own situations that u can think about and make some new ships as well! XD

Over all i would recommend this for sure for somebody who is searching for some alternative love story that is not cliche and isn't very predictable as well!

I would give this 11/10 for sure and i hope that the next season will be as good if not better!!!

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In my honest opinion, its depiction of the male-to-male relationship is close to reality, at least in Southeast Asia. It also does not vilify women for the sake of having a conflict, unlike on other BL series. I like that it does not rely too much on fluff and sex; instead, it has strong plot points that even non-BL fans would enjoy. Singto and Krist portrayed Kong and Arthit well.

The first part of the series might push away some viewers because of the ridiculous hazing portrayal, but it's worth it given that the latter part of the series will bombard you with lots of great moments.

I highly recommend the series, and it still remains my even favorite after watching a lot of other BL dramas.

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