Love Area (2021)

Unravels 70 percent in

All in all enjoyable, but there were definitely some things I didn't like about it. It's only 6 episodes, but the episodes are relatively long, so that's not what bothered me.

My problem with this drama lies with the two main characters. Valen's lack of proper communication drives me nuts, but I think that's a personal thing. It makes sense with his backstory, which we pretty much have to figure out for ourselves. I feel for him, but even after it's clear--to him at least--that he really likes Kaitoon, he has a weird way of showing it most of the time and isn't doing himself any favors if he wants to win Kaitoon over. (Doing something really sweet for the guy you like? Tell him it was your sister's idea. Want to take him someplace special? Don't let him know what's going on even after you get there--Valen's lack of communication reminds me of my husband, and that's not a good thing.)
As for Kaitoon, he's mostly likeable. More at first than later. He can be forthright to the point of rudeness, and at first I thought maybe this was the kick in the butt Valen needed, but later on it seemed too brutal. (Did he really have to point out to Valen that some of the bracelets were done incorrectly after Valen helped him out with them?) I'm assuming Kaitoon has so much on his mind with school, his job, and his bracelet business that this is the reason he forgets something important. Twice. But nothing is actually SAID about that being the reason. I'm not even sure if he likes Valen, to be honest.
As for the secondary characters, Nont is great, but he's wasted in his role forming a weak love triangle with Kaitoon and Valen (because who knows if Kaitoon likes Nont), but we don't know enough about him to feel anything but sorry for him in the last little bit of the show when we finally get an idea he has feelings for Nont.
King and Peat's story started out interesting but then became weak when it became apparent King is no longer feeling it. Enter a young guy who suddenly becomes a model for King's art and more confusion ensues.
While it was nice to see Jeff Satur again (Marwin from Ingredients), his role is useless in the story. I don't know if he's supposed to be interested in Kaitoon or what, and isn't that what Nont is for? Maybe in season 2 he'll get with the male model, or with Peat if King winds up dumping him. Then there's the odd guy who keeps flirting with Valen's sister, Pang. This is just unnecessary extra stuff that could have been used for other things, like plot.
The story jumps around too much. I'm sure the point of having Valen act in a play is so that Kaitoon can help him through it, but what about the EXTREMELY long wait before he delivers his last line? So weird and unnecessary. It wasted moments that could have been used for, let's say, character development.
And the swim club? Purpose? We never see anyone swimming. I thought maybe the club would be a way to get Kaitoon and Valen closer but nope.
So, in my opinion, not a total waste of time, but not worth a rewatch. The season 2 trailer of a Valen/Kaitoon love scene shows a moment of chemistry. Which gives me hope, I guess.

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Not bad, but should have been better.

There are so many good elements to this story, but too many problemmatic ones were tossed in, and it dragged down the overall quality of the series.

The acting is good. Pak, playing the main character, Kaitoon, is very good and charming. Gun, who plays Valen, is also good - he's playing a surly good-for-nothing trying to be better, but you can connect with his awkwardness and inability to communicate affection in a competent adult manner, and you definitely feel his attraction to Kaitoon. The rest of the cast is good. The overall quality of the production is good, and the subtitles are great.

But - the central love triangle is not at all enjoyable. First, there is too huge a gap in Kaitoon's suitors' desirrability. Valen is obviously a good and giving person, but he's too immature to be Kaitoon's bf, and Non is more or less the textbook definition of a perfect bf. Being attracted to someone flawed happens, but Kaitoon is potrayed as too level and knowing what he wants and needs to chose Valen. Second, watching people sit sadly after being stood up is awful and really unpleasant to watch - and it makes the stand-upper really unappealing.

The secondary couple is not bad, and for once, there's actually a reasonable explanation for someone ghosting the other for his own good, but it's still an overused and not entirely convincing device. There is something that makes it look like they will have a love triangle too, but if you look up the ages of the actors, you'll see it's not possible. I hope. Because eww. Also, the secondaries are not integrated into the main story at all, so it's like a different series stapled to the main one for no apparent reason.

The pacing at times really bogs down and too much time is spent on unimportant things, or drains the life out of substantial elements.

There are some subtle touches, like Kaitoon refuses someone's attempt to wipe his lip and says he'll do it himself, which is leveraging a tired trope in a symbolic way - I liked that. They also made fun of product placement when Valen says to his sister, "you look beautiful today. What skincare product are you using?" which would normally lead to a placement, but she tells him to go away.

But all-in-all, the series needed more focus - there are too many plot ideas (and some are tropes) thrown in, like the BL photo which leads to screaming fujoshis. Was that necessary in any way? What did it do to drive the story forward? Thankfully we only had to endure fujoshis for half a minute. And I will say it's nice for there to be a total absence of the usual predatory and pathetic trans/effeminte gay characters screeching and pawing at every half-attractive man.

I also appreciate that they chopped the series into two so that the second part can be filmed after COVID rather than stapling together a miserable and infuriating ending like Top Secret in Love did.

I'm hoping the second half is more focused and stops torturing the most appealing person on the show. It just makes us sad, and serves no real purpose.

I would recommend this, but not strongly. If you're finding you don't like it after a couple of eps, you are probably never going to like it and should consider dropping it.

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Something...

I'm not sure what I was expecting but I think I found it. I really enjoyed this but, something's missing....not sure what it is though.
Anyway, this is a gently used storyline but the MC chemistry seemed all the way there! Visuals for miles, and for once I can't decide which "couple" I like most (even if they didn't get enough screen time). I can't wait for S2 cause there's plenty of unresolved love, lust and jealousy to settle. I'd recommend to a BL newbie as it's not too cliché or have sexual references. It's kinda mellow all the way through. Simple and Sweet!
Enjoy...

P.S. If you're in any state of depression, I know it's easier said than done, but I want you to know running away won't help in the long run. Talk to someone,

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A Slice Of Life BL

With this show, I was at first like. Wtf was that intro... I kinda loved it though! I love that Valen is literally robbing Kaitoon in the first shot and now were shipping them. It's so BL and reminded me a lot of HIStory Trapped. Minus a really strong set of story lines. This show wasn't bad, but it definitely could've used some padding for the plot and cutting of filler.

Peat looks like a discount Mew lol (in his pic on here at least). Whereas in the show he looks completely different? Was I the only one that noticed this!? Anywayssss, ooh damn side couple past drama but then it leading up to them having make up sex! That's something I haven't really seen in a BL! Also 2 YEARS he left with no word tf. Depression is a very real thing and extremely difficult to cope with without proper treatment. It sucks though that Peat felt like he had to deal with it alone. As well as hurting his boo in the process. Which is totally understandable, anybody would be hurt after essentially being abandoned. It seems like too there will be a love triangle situation going on with them. Which could be very interesting in the second part of this. I'm not sure if I want these 2 to get back together or for them to move on?

Let's talk about our mains. Initially I thought Nont was so cute and keeps taking care of Kaitoon. But then that quickly shifted, I honestly think Nont needs therapy. Because he's so sad all the time! Relationships cannot replace therapy! Also Kaitoon ends up doing the same for Valen, taking care of him. So my feelings changed very quickly. Also Kaitoon is so tiny and adorable, seeing him and Valen's relationship shift was very satisfying. Everything else going on besides our main and side couple I didn't care about in the slightest. 2 scenes that stood out were:The birthday cake thing, it was super sweet. And the waves scene at the end was very nice, leading into them holding hands. A pretty good ending to lead into part 2!

Though this series isn't super memorable, its really cute! 6 episodes made for quick development. But since there's a second part coming out I have more hope! I do not understand the hate for this and never will!

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Starts of well, but loses steam

The first striking thing about the series is how different it seems from the synopsis we see at MDL. Valen doesn't seem at all someone who has not been experienced any affection. He has a sister who cares about him and help him. He has at least a few close friends. He is close to the nanny who has brought him up (though it is not clear what, if anything, has happened to his parents). In fact, Kaitoon seems to be the one with a sob story: he's an orphan who has to juggle his studies and multiple jobs, and he loses some of his jobs.

The discrepancy between the synopsis and the series is not a big issue. But since Valen is desperate enough to attempt armed robbery to pay his debtors, he should probably turn to his friends or sister for help. But somehow he doesn't ... until he does anyway. Nevertheless, we can ignore this and see that he really has no intention to harm others.

The story actually starts off rather well, focusing on Kaitoon and Non first before bringing in Non. However, the second half of Love Area (Part 1) isn't really satisfying. My best guess is that a change of plans took place and somehow the series became split into Parts 1 and 2. This would mean that there needs to be a cliffhanger in Episode 6. While Valen's love for Kaitoon is quite nicely shown, the transitions in Kaitoon's feelings do not seem to have enough enough time to be properly fleshed out.

Also, at first I thought that Kaitoon and Non would make a nice couple even though anyone can guess that Kaitoon and Valen are the main couple of the series. Still, the depiction of the friendship between Kaitoon and Valen is really nice --until Non falls in love with Kaitoon, and Kaitoon inexplicably forgets about his appointments with the pitiable Non. (Yes, it seems that every main character has a sadder story than Valen, contrary to what you may get from the synopsis.)

Non is such a sweet, patient and lovable guy that I wish he didn't have to undergo the struggles with his parents and with his unrequited love. Nor do I wish to see him lose his goodness and become an awful person in Season 2 (not that there's any indication that this will happen). Frankly, putting him in this love triangle with Kaitoon and Valen isn't really a good move. It makes the story inconsistent. Kaitoon, who is used to juggling multiple jobs and his studies (and a bit of a social life), doesn't seem likely to simply forget about his appointments so easily. (He forgets an appointment with Non once, feels really bad about it, and then forgets about it again when Valen takes him to the beach--Kaitoon has not planned for the trip, and he even tells Valen that he has things to do, but somehow does not make an effort to contact Non about not being able to turn up.

The other couple, King and Peat, is also interesting until the appearance of a potential third party (one of those things that are easy to predict even though nothing has happened yet). King and Peat are supposed to be a loving couple until Peat suddenly disappears one day, causing King a lot of suffering. To its credit, Part 1 shows both the reason Peat does a disappearing act and the reconciliation between the two. That King has been unable to get over Peat and his willingness to reconcile with Peat suggests a very deep love, but then a third party? We shall see how well it works in Part 2.

At this point, I'm still interested in Part 2, but it is not something I look forward too simply because I'm not sure if Part 2 would salvage things or mess everything up further.

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No, no, no.

Unfortunately, it was difficult to like this. I don't know if it's cultural differences, but I cannot have sympathy with characters who rob, are excessively jealous and refuse to listen to the other person's explanations. I could not find many redeeming features with Valen, he is simply a bad person. Kaitoon as treated Nont really badly. Nont is portrayed as a saint, so I have to say it is unusual for BLs to stomp all over such characters. The Peat and King story was also quite badly written and it didn't move me at all. All in all, I would avoid this, there are so many better BLs to watch.

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Bad messages sent

So the messages this story sent me are: 1.) Rich boys who gamble and rob someone with a knife can turn into a romantic relationship. Sure forgiving is one thing but come one... 2.) Nice medical student can be ripped off twice because main character is taken by rich kid who previously robbed him? Maybe season 2 will show that was a bad decision. I hope so.
The sister was a very good character and did a good job with acting. Not Usual with BL women. Also there was a lot of typical BL themes presented here. I thought they worked ok except the beach scene seemed foreced. Oh yeah the second couple story with the "I left you because I was depressed story" seemed forced and didn't flow. Also the quick I forgive you was a bit much for how upset King seemed to be. I'm hoping for better in season 2. Cinematography and music were really the best qualities. Also all characters were very attractive.

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slow, but okay.

The first episode is slow... I expected more but the second and the rest caught me! This series is good. They have a beautiful chemistry. The story it's not fantastic but it is good! I realize that they don't even kiss each other on the cheeks after a long time. I finished hahahaha, but this doesn't matter that much. I'm looking forward to the part 2/second season because I want to know more about Kaitoon. The actors are good. like, pretty good. I was expecting more loveable scenes, I can't deny this, but one scene in particular caught my attention, the last scene.....I don't pay attention to the soundtrack, they don't catch my attention in this way.  I don't know if i will watch this season again...... but i recommended it to a friend. In general is a sweet and simple series.

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So this is what falling in love feels like

I have no idea how to structure this review so I'll start by saying I'm baffled by the amount of negative reviews. Did we watch a different show, are our standards that different or do we just look for different things in BLs?
If you want a fast paced action, drama, plot twists and high stakes, this isn't for you. However, if you want a down to earth, natural slow burn with great chemistry - look no further.
During the first episode, having read the reviews, I was conflicted and tried to nitpick flaws in acting etc, but by episode 3 I was so immersed I forgot why I had these issues in the first place. Maybe the acting was a bit awkward at the beginning, but by the end it's so good you forget about it.
The tone and cinematography felt more like a Taiwanese or Korean BL if they had longer runtimes. The only Thai BLs it reminded me of were Nitiman (realistic characterisation and progression, slow and down to earth plotlines, good communication) and the first half of Bite Me, before it tried to pull a dramatic angsty twist (the warmth, the slow burn). Out of these three however, Love Area is the most succesful.
The story and characters felt very natural, simple but logical and well thought out. I always enjoy when a character doesn't say the obvious thing in a dialogue but something slightly next to it, tinted with their character traits and way of communicating - this drama was full of it.
The chemistry was also amazing, all of it culminating in that last scene which not only left me wanting to immidiately watch part 2, but also made me feel like I was watching something very emotionally and physically intimate, even though all they were doing was laying down on the sand as waves washed over them. That scene alone upgraded my score to a 9.5 and made me realise how masterfully done this romance is.
Can't wait to watch part 2, I sincerely hope the love eminating in part 1 carries over and makes me fall in love even more.

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Love Area

All the cast is suit with their role, but i want more charisma with their partner.
The ending is quit flat although it is happy ending, i impress the ending and put high happy ending.
Valen and kaiton need more storyline that they both is in love and spend more time at the restaurant and go out with their friends, but i not wish that all in this seasons because i wish there will be next season.
About the storyline pete with his handsome king we need more about these two and hope there will be nice ending too.
And for non. We hope he will find his partner and i have suggestion in here and that will be ice, dont blame me;).
And for p'nisa, i want more her moment with max. These two has thier point to be partner.

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A series failing miserably at narrating a story

I am at a failure to understand why this series was divided in to 2 seasons. Season 1 has nothing to offer story-wise or character development. It just seems to be an introduction to all the characters that will show up in the next Season. The only couple that had some kind of story going was King and Peat and we do get to know a lot about them and their relationship. Apart from those two the rest of the main characters just exist in this series’ universe.

The main story loosely revolves around 3 characters: Valen a rich, good for nothing guy who loses money on bets and reaches a point where he unsuccessfully tries to rob a guy at knife point. He in my opinion acts like a douchebag throughout the whole season with not one likable characteristic. Next, we have Kaitoon, a complete opposite of Valen. He is hard working and always ready to lend a hand to those in need. He is an orphan and works odd jobs to pay for his studies. Finally, we have Nont, a student who wants to be a doctor so as not to disappoint his father. Although the first season seems to be an introduction to these characters but nothing is fleshed out and we don’t get to know about them other than what I described here.

There is a probable love triangle in the making where Nont likes Kaitoon whereas Kaitoon and Valen are developing feelings for each other. I understand Nont's feeling for Kaitoon. They share a good bond and Nont is the person Kaitoon goes to whenever he needs advice. They also have shared some good moments together. What I don’t get is Kaitoon's feeling for Valen. He hasn't done anything to garner those feelings. On the first instance Valen tries to rob Kaitoon and gets him beaten up and robbed of his wages, ruins his birthday cake albeit unintentionally after knowing he never had a cake of his own. They haven't shared a conversation between each other that doesn't include either them arguing or Valen acting like an angsty teen.

In conclusion, this series fails at multiple levels especially having no chemistry between the two main characters and they still had to go for Season 2. Give this one a miss if you can.

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