Destiny (2021)

Merece la pena por muchas razones, entre ellas, el papel de Toru, 10/10

Si no te apetece leer todo lo que voy a escribir, que será bastante, mi resumen sería que es una serie divertida que merece la pena, pero que no gustará a todo el mundo, debido tanto a la naturaleza de las parejas que lo conforman, como al hecho de que la serie se divida en capítulos para explicar una historia, en lugar de irlas desarrollando todas a la vez.

Tengo que partir una lanza por esta serie, ya que se abusa mucho del término CRINGE, cuando hay series más famosas y queridas que tienen momentos mucho peores y nadie dice nada. La serie tiene momentos que dan vergüenza, pero como cualquier otra. Dicho esto, voy a entrar en materia y explicaré tan breve como me sea posible, por qué me gusta y por qué me gusta TANTO esta serie.

Historia: La historia en sí nos muestra cómo se forman las diferentes parejas. Tenemos siete protagonistas, uno por cada día de la semana, y cada uno de ellos tiene 2 capítulos en los que se desarrolla su relación con su respectiva pareja. Hay historias para todos los gustos, desde las más tiernas a las más sensuales, pasando por las que tocan temas de realismo mágico (género que personalmente me encanta) y te hacen reír. Para mí este es el punto más flojo de la serie, ya que no todas las historias tienen la misma calidad o no resultan igual de emocionantes. y en caso de volver a verla, decidiría ver capítulos concretos de las parejas que me gustan y no toda la serie (esto se puede considerar una ventaja, ya que no tendrás que ver 15 horas de contenido, te puedes centrar en ver los 2 episodios que te gustan y ya).

Si hablamos de mis historias favoritas, tengo que decir que son las de PuthKaeng, SunNuea y Thru/Pao.
PuthKaeng (9,10): Sin duda la pareja estrella del reparto, la que mejor química tiene.
SunNuea (3,4): Absolutamente adorables juntos.
Thru/Pao (7,8): La pareja más divertida y tierna de la serie.

Actuación/Reparto: Este punto es tan diverso como el anterior. Debido a que son historias separadas, hay actores que lo hacen mejor y otros peor (siempre desde mi opinión personal), o pueden resultar más creibles o menos con respecto a la representación de su personaje. Quiero destacar que he descubierto a grandes actores que no conocía y que hacen buenos papeles en general y a los que seguiré en el futuro.

Mi indiscutible favorito es Toru. Además de ser el personaje central de la serie, ya que hace de nexo de unión entre varios personajes y sus parejas (por ejemplo es quien presenta a Nuea a Sun), es el único que conoce el pasado de Masuk, provoca indirectamente que Mon y Team se conozcan, etc, es el más trabajado de todos los personajes. Como apunto, Puth es el personaje que une a la mayoría del grupo. Además de conocerle como amigo del resto de protagonistas, también conocemos su faceta más vulnerable, cuando se enfrenta a los sentimientos que le plantean su relación con Kaeng. Aunque tiene una personalidad algo cafre y graciosa y su rol es el de un chico seguro de sí mismo y de sus habilidades sociales, también le vemos dudar, abrumarse, sentirse perdido cuando las cosas van más allá con Kaeng y esta dualidad es la que más me atrae de su personaje. Para mí, un 10 para Toru.

Otros actores que lo hacen genial:
First, otro gran descubrimiento y más con lo joven que es. Quiero resaltar que sus actuaciones son muy creibles y que incluso en la escena final del último capítulo, se le ve realmente emocionado al hablar. Kaeng, a pesar de ser el personaje más sensual de la serie, también tiene un lado tierno que lo hace adorable. Otro 10.

Nat y Max: Ni siquiera siento que estén actuando, es como si de verdad fueran así el uno con el otro. Me encanta la química y la complicidad que tienen y lo divertidos que son.

Música: Hay una variedad interesante de temas musicales. Siento que están bien integrados en las diversas historias y que se usan en momentos relevantes los temas que puedan venir mejor.

Volver a ver: Volverás a ver los capítulos de las parejas que te gusten. A mí por ejemplo me gusta el hecho de que en ciertos capítulos se use como nexo de unión a otros personajes, por lo que podría plantearme ver la serie al completo en algún momento.

Lo mejor de la serie:
- Toru, First, Max, Nat, Chap, Au, Talay.
- PuthKaeng, SunNuea, ThruPao.
- Puth.
- La conexión entre los personajes y las historias.
- Las actuaciones de la mayoría.
- El realismo mágico y el humor.
- La mezcla de géneros, bien integrada en casi todas las historias.
- Escenas icónicas para el recuerdo (El chop chop de Pao, la manita que le echó Sat a Choke aquella noche jajaaja, Kaeng seduciendo a Puth en el bar, o con las gafas, o en general, Kaeng seduciendo a Puth es un mito ya).

Lo peor de la serie:
- El mal desarrollo de algunas parejas.
- Altibajos de calidad en cuanto a guión. Mientras algunos capítulos son sobresalientes, otros son pasables, sin más.
- Desaprovechamiento del talento de Talay con una historia que podría haber sido mucho mejor y dar más de sí.
- Escenas de toxicidad bastante reprochables, como las del último capítulo donde Mon y Puth se comportan de una forma enfermizamente posesiva, que las quiero ver como un toque de humor negro exagerado, pero que no hay que olvidar que no es un comportamiento gracioso ni sano en la vida real.
- Nos robaron el beso de Yoon y Talay. Nos lo robaron.

Mi conclusión final: Soy de la opinión de que cada uno debe ver las cosas que le gusten y no dejarse llevar por lo que digan los demás. Hay series realmente mal valoradas que a mí me gustan mucho, mientras que otras más famosas, no me agradan en absoluto. Esto ni es malo ni bueno, cada cual tiene sus gustos. Pero si eres una persona a la que le gustan las historias un poco caóticas, divertidas, con ternura pero con su dosis de picardía, con finales felices y buenas actuaciones, dale una oportunidad a esta serie.

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What a waste of time.

These are seven stories of seven best friends whose personalities are based on the Thai description of characters associated with a particular day of the week. Reviewing each installment individually~~~

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 1,2
TUESDAY
• Chap as Tue
• Tae as Ake
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Tae will be starting in “You're my skyy”. Chap can be seen in a side role in Lovely Writer, and in the upcoming series, “The Tuxedo”.

RATING: 4.5/10

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: – If you're looking for a sports themed bl with coaching and all that, then I'd suggest Mr. Heart. If you're looking for enemies to lovers then I'd suggest My Gear and your gown, Love by chance (Tincan), Love by chance 2, Why RU?

STORY: Tue is an aspiring Muay Thai coach. On his very first day as an assistant coach he meets an old enemy and they have a faceoff. During their sports camp trio, the coach makes Tue and Ake room together to teach Tue patience so that he can be a better coach and to keep Ake in line

REVIEW: Script issues. In my honest opinion, the actors did the best they could with the storyline they were provided. There wasn't lack of chemistry and both the actors convinced me that they hated each other and were simultaneously attracted to each other. Given that two episodes of 1 hour each is not enough to deal with an entire relationship, the story could've been less of a mess if they hadn't tried to incorporate so many tropes into it.

*Spoiler alert*
They used a gazillion tropes in here: a single interaction wherein Ake cuts into line makes Tue hate him with such gusto. Sickness and the subsequent requisite white towel treatment (because it's a bl). Parental issues to bring the mcs closer to each other. Roommate drama.

Regarding the romance, you can if you're want to, justify every assholish thing done by Ake on the basis of 'attraction'. Ake even goes so far as to tell Tue that he was responsible for arousing him and henceforth must take care of his needs. Furthermore, for someone who vehemently begged the coach to allow him into the team (and also because Ake wants to fulfil his father's dreams), Ake’s behavior of purposefully skipping practice and investing leaves just to look like he has a fever do not comply with the story. Needless to say I couldn't get into their story. Sad because the actors were really trying.

Major plot hole: So Tue gets the chicken pox. Granting that I am not a Thai citizen but an Indian one, I believe that's one disease south east Asian countries are vaccinated against? Even if we allow room for the fact that the hadn't been vaccinated, it doesn't make sense that the entire team isn't down with the disease. Logic #101.


═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 3,4
SUNDAY
• Max as Sun
• Nat as Nuea
ALSO SEE THEM IN: MaxNat are a side couple in “Why RU?” the series and in the upcoming projects by Mandee (nameless, “Cutie Pie” the series). They're also the main couple in episode 3 of “Close Friend”.

RATING: 4.5/10

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: Why RU?

REVIEW: Can we appreciate Nuea’s style in this? I don't like MaxNat per se, and I don't see the hype around them but their acting was pretty decent and considering that they were given a pretty average story, they carried the episodes well. Notable point, this is a healthy relationship. Not taking advantage of your drunk bf marks the beginnings of a healthy relationship.


═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 5,6
MONDAY
• Korn as Mon
• Gung as Team
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Korn has a really funny supporting role in YYY the series. They haven't starred together in any other dramas.

RATING: 3.5/10

I have no idea what happened here, it hasn't been many weeks I suppose but that's exactly how forgettable it was. I just remember that there was a confession scene on stage and I could feel the second hand embarrassment through the screen and in my head I was like: somebody end my pain. Yet again, I feel the actors delivered pretty good (like a 6.5/10 for the acting), but the storyline was ridiculous. I also remember being irritated as hell with Team.

Notable mention: awkward pauses. Like longer than the one in kdrama confession scenes. The drawn out soulmate gazing and pauses were just lowering the score at 127 km/s.

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 7,8
THURSDAY
• Pi as Thurs
• Au as Pao/Pae
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Pi is part of the secondary couple in YYY the series. They haven't starred together in any other dramas.

RATING: 5.5/10

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: He’s coming to me, Hidden love as these are both bl dramas involving a ghost-seeing boy story ark.

No spoilers for these episodes because you have to watch this at least once. I have only seen Pee Peerawich Ploynumpol in his funny role in YYY and I wasn't sure what he was going to deliver here but he was really vibin’ with his role here! In some places he conveyed his reverence for his art and his feelings quite nicely. Also Pao is the cutest ghost I have ever seen. If you're deciding on which episodes to skip then DON'T SKIP EPISODE 7 & 8, it was probably the most wholesome episode here in terms of their relationship.


═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 9,10

• Takizawa as Puth
• First as Kaeng
ALSO SEE THEM IN: Tae will be starting in “You're my skyy”. Chap can be seen in a side role in Lovely Writer, and in the upcoming series, “The Tuxedo”.

RATING: 6/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: En of Love: Love Mechanics, Side couple in My Gear and your Gown

This is where I pour out my feelings about these two. First of all, First playing Kaeng is impressive. He has a vast expression range: that suggestive smirk directed at Puth, that look of pure adoration when he's studying Puth, the joyous expression when he's around Puth, that kicked-in-the-gut sad puppy eyes he does to move Puth, that death glare he specifically reserves for Payo and lastly the crying scenes. This actor can go from 0 to 100 real quick. Same for Takizawa. He is cute at the right moments but he can be flirty and asshole and hot mean jerk just as well.

Secondly, the nc scenes. I let out a bleh when I saw how effusive fans were being about their nc scenes but they jumped the gun saying that the romance wasn't well developed. Well I beg to disagree. The actors had great chemistry, that's true, but the nc scenes weren't just that—it was the trust Puth had in Kaeng, the way he was letting himself be free with him. Kudos to them for bringing a proper friends-with-benefits relationship to the screen and turning it to something more.

When twenty minutes were left for episode 10 to end I was beginning to wonder how they were going to wrap up these threads at the very end. But it was ended well too! Turns out it wasn't just the audience who noticed how Kaeng was whipped for Puth, Puth isn't one of those typical oblivious characters. It took him time to understand his feelings but he did notice Kaeng’s gestures! The ending really touched me. *SPOILER* When Kaeng told Puth to stay with him for one last time, it was obvious that Puth wasn't sure about it but he cared enough for Kaeng as a friend to not leave him alone. And so he does grant his request which eventually lead him to realize his feelings.

Also, can we appreciate how perfect these two are for each other? Both are flirtatious jerks who are whipped for each other. When Kaeng starts shouting that he has a boyfriend Puth just laughs and urges him to say his name and then proceeds to shout that he has a boyfriend too. Like I cannot with these two—

This was so far my favorite in terms of acting, pacing and character development.

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 11,12
• Jaab as Sat
• Ton as Choke
ALSO SEE THEM IN: —

RATING: 5.0/10
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: I have no idea what bl drama to recommend which has similar fantasy-time travel-friendship themes as this one does.

STORY: Sat and Choke have been friends since childhood. Unlike Choke who was satisfied with his status and his chubby figure, Sat wants to be included into Top’s gang. Top is a older than them, plays football and is considered cool in the school. Prior to this, Choke had gifted Sat with a Gundam, a giant robot, which was supposedly magical and it proves its powers when Choke unknowingly presses the button which activates it and it fulfils his wish but this comes with a side effect: he can't be friends with Choke anymore because that's what it takes to be cool, he must cut off his connection from the 'fat' boy. Encouraged by Top, Sat punches him effectively severing their friendship.

Not only do, since Sat wished to be all grown up and part of Top’s gang, he wakes up in the future—mind you his memories are still of the past, the years in between are a gap in his head—and is surprised to find his head in Top’s lap. They are best friends now but Sat wonders why he isn't best friends with Choke, he has no idea that they aren't friends anymore and turns up at Choke’s house to remember his memories. Things spiral from there.

REVIEW: As I scrolled through the comments, I realized that this couple got overlooked a lot as people commented their opinions on the series. For me they were cute. Kind of forgettable maybe but cute.

I think the strongest message here was how our experiences shape us. Whatever choices Sat had or hadn't made had changed him from his innocent naive mentality to a person who played with others’ feelings and was uncaring.

This was quite obviously a rip-off (an adaptation, if you will), of the popular rom-com “13 Going on 30,” which delivered a lot more than this story did and in shorter time.

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 13, 14

I am honestly underwhelmed guys. I got some messages here AND a personal dm to complete this review. And here goes: underwhelmed with Yoon, Lay and Perth. Serious injustice to some of my favorite actors (in bl series I mean).

Rating: 6.5/10. See Perthlay in My Engineer and the hypothetical My Engineer 2. Also, Perth go taken out of Kinnporsche so yeah. Seen Yoonlay in YYY (one of my favorites), YYY special and Close friend (episode 4).

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ Ep. 15
Shhitty ending. Everybody gets together. Hugs. Kisses. And they all live happily ever after except of course... you know if you know.

═ ∘♡༉∘ ═══════ OVERALL
Ranking episodes: [13, 14], [9&10], [7&8], [11&12], [3&4], [1&2], [5&6], [15]

These are some points I need to stress about this series.

AWESOME. COSTUMES. Like damn was I tired of the standard issue bl drama uniforms with the stark white shirts and black pants. Everybody here had a distinctive colourful style. Tue was pink, Ake was sporty and casual, Sun was a bit formal, Nuea was rocking the effeminate style (we need more such rep), Mon was sunflower, Team was masculine hot, Pi was a ghost summoner need, Pao was cute (too cute to be a ghost), Puth was sweater and Kaeng went all out with his striking red shirts and earrings.

The director seems to have his signature style. Music was pretty much on point. The actors mostly managed really well.

Overall rating 4.0/10 for an awesome waste of time.

Are you thinking of watching this series?
If you're looking for something mindless and pulpy to watch then go for it. Select the episodes you think you'd like best and watch those first, the stories are not interconnected. Happy watching!

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