I Feel You Linger in the Air (2023)

Un'eccellente ambientazione che da sola non può però tenere in piedi tutto il resto.

Tra i punti di forza di questa serie metto al primo posto l'ambientazione: una serie storica che una volta tanto non ci catapulta nel periodo Joseon come quasi tutti i period drama in circolazione, bensì negli anni '20 del secolo scorso. Abbastanza lontano da percepire la netta distanza col mondo odierno negli usi e costumi, ma sufficientemente vicino da individuare riferimenti comuni. I toni delle riprese sono davvero una chicca, perchè rispecchiano in pieno l'idea di trovarsi in un passato non remoto, quasi nostalgico, un vivere diverso, più semplice per certi versi ma più complesso e difficile per altri, dove la distinzione tra le classi sociali è ancora netta. Altro aspetto positivo, il personaggio di Jom, davvero ben interpretato e credibile in tutte le sue sfumature.
Infine, non posso non citare l'apprezzatissima suspance che regalano alcune delle prime scene, degne di un thriller-fantasy, tra colpi di scena e apparizioni.
Riconosciuti questi tre aspetti positivi, sono però costretta a bilanciare con altrettante critiche negative: al primo posto, la lentezza estenuante. E' proprio una questione di ritmo, che dal momento in cui ci ritroviamo nel 1927 diventa a dir poco soporifero. Mi è capitato spesso di riscontrare questo difetto nei drama storici, e sinceramente non capisco perchè il passato - anche se indubbiamente non era caratterizzato dal vivere frenetico odierno - debba però essere rappresentato proprio all'opposto, quasi che nessuno andasse mai di fretta e tutto si svolgesse a passo di lumaca. La seconda pecca, è il salto nel passato: di mio non sono un'amante delle serie con mondi paralleli o viaggi nel tempo, in questo caso ho fatto veramente fatica a comprendere il meccanismo (il finale, in particolare, tra l'arrivo - come ha fatto? - di Yai nel futuro e l'epilogo dei due nel tempo remoto mi ha lasciata con dei grossi punti interrogativi, già che non c'è stata mezza spiegazione). In ultimo, il personaggio di Yai mi ha trasmesso davvero poco: l'attore, che di suo già non mi ha esaltata, ha rivestito i panni di un protagonista ben diverso da quello che immaginavo e che ho trovato davvero insipido e poco incisivo, quasi una tappezzeria.
Una serie che tenta l'asso nella manica pur avendo pessime carte in mano: l'ambientazione singolare e davvero azzeccata da sola però non basta a vincere la partita! Da vedere? Se proprio - ma proprio - non vi viene in mente altro.

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It was so good but the ending?

I would say I was hooked to this series even though I'm not a fantasy fan. Yai's character might be the rarest green flag in thai bl. His and Jom's chemistry is off the charts. No doubt about it. I liked the cinematography and the music too. It clicked with the story very well. Coming to the plot...time travel is a risky genre and it usually leads to many plot holes if not done properly. Everything was very well scripted and I enjoyed all the episodes until the last few minutes towards the end. I will deduct one star for the ending. There is no explanation given as to how Yai was there in the present with Jom and how he remembers everything. Obviously the Yai in past already stated in the letter that he must have died by the time Jom reads it so who is the one who came at the end. They could have ended the series with Jom unexpectedly meeting a random guy looking like Yai or just moving on from him but they made it confusing and left us with too many questions. Anyways it was a good watch....I liked the dance scene, the kiss in the rain and the oil applying scene omg that was HOT.
Don't skip this one. It's worth the time.

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泰劇愛的香氣，值得推薦!

無論是主要的二位男演員還是配角，即使是只出現一下的角色，還是小演員，每位演員的演技都很好，在水準之上!片尾曲、插曲，所有主打的所有因劇情而出現的音樂，你會感到非常的用心，原來歌曲都是為了劇情量身打造的，連配樂都是特別錄製的，並不是罐頭配樂，值得一提的是導演的審美，完全就是一絕，任何一幕都能截圖當做桌面，因為是小說改編，自然有它的底在，編劇為了增加衝突性，添加了一些新部份，但是還是沒有脫離主線，我懂編劇和導演格局很大，加了很多女性角色和性別話題，不是只專注在愛情線上，但我還是得說二位主演的愛情部份非常好看，所以想一直看下去，想一直看到，要劇終了，蠻難受的，畢竟看這部劇就是一場享受，愛的香氣是我今年的泰腐top1，非常好看，強力推薦!

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Shiny gemstone in 2023

The high quality of this show is visible in Ep1 already. The cinematography, the direction, the production, the OST, the setting, the cast... everything just feels on spot.

The plot has a very strong start with Ep1 with really heavy drama and great acting; providing a unique, somewhat supernatural premise. In later episodes the plot's strength is fluctuating, not as strong as Ep1 but still pretty good and enjoyable, the main plot and side plots are pretty slowburn, yet giving time for the characters and actors to shine, develop connections, show emotions. It's such a great relief compared to average, lower production highschool BLs where sometimes their emotions often come out of the blue and we're supposed to believe it. Moreover, the presentation of the culture of Thailand in the past is also amazing and I enjoyed every moment of watching it.

My only regret is that the plot often changes from serious to a fluffy and funny tone. I would have also liked some more representation of the old<->modern conflicts, solutions and more times when both timelines teach each other. Instead, one of them is quite passive, and the only one being taught, not vice versa.
Ep11 is heavy drama, in contrast to previous, more playful and side-plot focused episodes, maybe the strongest episode after Ep1.

This show is already a 9/10 for me, and I'm looking forward to watching the finale. I somewhat have high hopes that it will be as satisfying as the previous 11 episodes, maybe with an open ending and a hint for another season...
( Fingers crossed :3 )

If you want to see more of something, it should be I Feel You Linger in the Air. This is probably the best and most surprising BL series of 2023 (so far), with the best drama, OST and setting.
9/10

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Best Thai bl for me

While it’s not perfect it did a lot of things right.
The best thing in this drama is Khun Yai. I loved how he cared for and respected Jom. Khun yai respected Jim’s boundaries, he didn’t force himself on him, though he fell really fast for Jom he was patient enough to wait for Jom to accept him and want to be with him.
Fav parts
Drunk Khun yai was not a nuisance nor did he try to do anything to Jom. And yet when he wake up the next day he was concerned that he might have done something to Jom. I’m most Thai bl when someone is drunk we know we gonna have some non con sth.

Eeeh I’ll get back to this review later I’m tired haha 😂

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Stunning series

This is simply beautiful, kind, and definitely not too much!
All I can say is that it has been long since I watched a simple, pure thai romance, and this is it!
I love the way how there is always a bit of chemistry, but never too much, the slow development of the characters and the storyline was a great choice, this is what makes this series so precious.
They couldn't have chosen better actors either. All of them suit their role, I'm so proud of this team.

First you would think this is a typical back-to-the-past type of story, but there is so much more to it. Everyone is way too clean for a servant, but otherwise there is some truth to how they lived.

The acting never made me feel that anything would be unnatural, so they did a great job with the cast!

The music is pretty, sometimes classical, sometimes mixed with thai sounds. Only complaint that it reminds me of the music of another series, like they used the exact same.

Overall there is nothing I would say that's so bad. I'm just waiting for a good ending, not a perfect one.

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Time travel/ reincarnation

The actors are excellent. The story is awesome even though it is sad. The cinematography is great. I like how it is a period piece set in the 1920's. The chemistry between the male leads is great.

The actor who plays Jom made me cry in the first and third episode. In some respects the script could have been a bit better in some places but there were some scenes that just reached out and grabbed your heart and the sentiment they express are hauntingly accurate for anyone that has been in a failed relationship and broken up because the other person wanted to. In episode 5 when Jom realizes how a servant is treated that was really well done. { I love historical fiction. I think it is easy to forget how good our current life is compared to how it was in the past. }

Here is a brief list of some of the very powerful scenes in the series without being overdone. The writers have done such a great job. ( i"m sure there are other scenes that could be added to this list but these are the ones that stood out at first watch.)
1. Episode 1- the "What did I do wrong" scene with Jom and Ohm, brought tears to my eyes.
2. Episode 2- the "You have lost your spirit" scene on the porch with Jom and Yai.
3. Episode 3- the store scene when Jom is punching Khamsaen ( who he sees as Ohm) and asks " Why are you so selfish ? What else do you want from me ? Can you blame only me? " At this point he is talking as if to Ohm even though he is with Khamsaen.
4. Episode 3- there are two very similar scenes of "What did I do wrong? " ( This seems to be a recurring theme.) Scene one was in the ally with Khamsaen and his mother and the other scene was on the dock with Jom and Yai , The dock scene made me cry. I loved how YAI was supportive while Jom tried to make sense of everything.
5. Episode 5 -when Jom and the other servant are being punished and she makes the comment "the life of servants is like this we are not the owners of our own lives."
6. Episode 6- I like the realism in this episode . There are two scenes that stand out. One is in the bar when Jom is talking to James about Nuey. The other scene is in the bedroom when Jom and Yai are talking. I like how Jom is not just following emotion and asks Yai if he realizes that if they get in a relationship that it could create problems. I also like that finally Jom and Yai are coming to an understanding.
7. Episode 8- The scene in the tub when they are talking about the Plumeria flower whose Thai name means misery. I won't spoil the scene but I think it shows how Kun Yai is not afraid to like something that other people may not.

I am really liking this series. I hope that it continues to be this good. I have already re-watched some of the episodes.

Spoiler Alert:
I found the official pilot on you-tube that is 9 minutes long. It is really good but it shows that this show probably is going to have a very sad ending. Have your Kleenex ready. I generally don't watch sad shows but I had watched 3 episodes before I found the pilot. I'm invested and can't quit now.

I also found the music video on you-tube for the theme song and it is so good. I love how they have put clips from the series in it. If you don't like spoilers don't watch it but I thought it was very well done.

Update: after episode 5: I just finished watching episode 5. I love how they are putting the supernatural into it. The episodes are continuing to be excellent. It is interesting to see the past in Thailand in the 1920's. That servants were treated as slaves. It is history and makes me appreciate more the freedoms that I currently have and take for granted.

Update after episode 8: This series is continuing to be so good. I will say it - it's about time for Yi and Jom to get together.
Update: for Episodes 11 and 12 have the Kleenex ready.

Possible endings:
1. They could stay together in the past. I kinda hope they finish it like they did in Phetra Nuerimet where they let the two leads stay together in the past. but from seeing the pilot I don't think that will be the ending.

2. Main Male lead from the past is reincarnated and meets up with the main character in the future. This would be an ending like Rooftop Prince. Where the person from the future meets the reincarnate version of the Prince. The Prince goes back to his own time and is able to find the truth and punishes the guilty. He is alone but can be at peace because he knows what happened and justice has been served. Two people get happiness and the third gets justice.

3, Love interest from past comes into the future like what happened in Ruk Laek Pop.

4. It could just have a sad ending where they are separated for all time like what happened for the main character in Mr. Queen.. The main characters feel better for having met each other and having loved each other at least for a little bit. The old saying "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.." The male lead from the future he didn't get a romantic happy ending because he went back to the future but he wound up making a good difference in the past and becoming a better man in the future. He was able to be happy but he was separated from the king for all time. Both leads lives were better because of the experience. The king got his original queen back but he missed the male lead from the future.

I have listed the possible options but for me personally, I WANT A HAPPY ENDING, { but like in real life that's probably not going to happen.] Number 4 is probably the ending we are going to get where they are separated from each other, so have the Kleenex ready. I' ll just have to wait and see how the writers choose to end it. My choice would be for Yi to be reincarnated and remember his past life. I could see Yi being the owner of the house and they meet after Jom get's back to the present day. It would make sense that episode 12 would be set in modern day. But we will have to wait and see. It would be good to have a scene at the hospital withe Jom and Ohm. But there again it's just speculation on my part.

I am really enjoying the show. I hope you will give it a try.

Spoiler Alert:
Soft spoiler alert- it has a happy ending although it is a little abrupt and leaves some questions. Writers- thank you for the happy ending a;lthough it was too abrupt. What you needed was a special episode that focuses on the modern day Kun Yai and how he got to the present. I hope they do a second season this was so good. Actors thank you for doing such a great job.

In the episode 12, I watched it was 1 hr 18 min and 36 sec long. At 1 hr 14 min and 52 seconds there was another scene setting up possibly another season. I really hope they do, this was such a good series.

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Confusing but somewhat charming

This BL had quite a strong start for me, I was intrigued with the hallucinations Jom had and was curious about the characters in the beginning. However, the drama is too long and too much of the runtime is spent on side characters. While it does make the world feel more real, it communicates to me more an atmosphere of the time rather than the strength and depth of the love between Jom and Khun Yai. The acting is quite strong, and the couple looks good together, but I think it would have been better if there was no time skip and it was set fully in the past. I always think Thai BLs spend way too much time on side characters and never make 20 minute episodes, so I usually end up fastforwarding through the later episodes. This BL does the same thing for me. While the inclusion of the lesbian couple is good and refreshing, the lack of other interesting side couples make the majority of the rest of the cast feel like padding.

Over all, there were enjoyable moments, but this BL is by no means a showstopper. Watch it if you are intrigued but maybe lower your expectations.

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Perfection

If there's anything like a perfect BL series, this is the one(atm). The storyline, the casts, the romance and the CHEMISTRY 😍.
They don't want to be caught but they PDA everywhere except where they won't be caught 😁.

I haven't been so engrossed in a BL series after The Eight Sense and i just see myself waiting for Friday just to watch IFYLITA, that's just how good this BL is. The sensuality and the gentle approach to romance is one of the reasons i like it so much. It's been so long a BL gave me such approach to romance.

Don't sleep on this drama, you will be missing a lot.

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Time Travel Love Story

My Opinion:

- Plot: This show presents a fairly predictable tale where our protagonist inadvertently time-travels and entangles himself with the scion of a wealthy family, sparking a clandestine love affair. The narrative centers on the evolution of this relationship, but despite a promising premise, execution leaves much to be desired. In the initial episodes, the focus drifts away from exploring the nuances of their relationship, opting instead for high-stakes family drama and the protagonist's struggle to adapt to his newfound temporal surroundings. While there are interactions with the love interest, the lack of palpable flirtation or romantic chemistry weakens the emotional resonance. Then, out of the blue in the final episodes, a confession emerges and is reciprocated (but there doesn’t seem to be much joy from the protagonist), yet the absence of substantial buildup dampens its impact. Post-confession, the portrayal of genuine, mutual love remains elusive. The core source of tension arises from societal non-acceptance and the uncertainty of the protagonist's return to his own time (and when he finds out when he has to go back, he doesn’t look all that distressed about it). Despite facing challenges due to their respective situations, the portrayal falls short of convincingly conveying the depth of their emotional connection, leaving audiences questioning the authenticity of their feelings. Intimate scenes are notably tame, primarily featuring subdued moments of kissing. In the end, the show's potential for a profound exploration of love and adversity is overshadowed by its failure to authentically capture the emotional bond at its core.

- Relationship: This narrative takes the slow burn approach, with the central relationship unfolding only in the closing episodes. While some interactions between the couple carry a certain charm, the absence of emotional buildup in preceding episodes leaves the romance feeling less than heart-stirring and hardly prompts the desired squeal-worthy reactions. The show introduces subtle details that prompt speculation about the depth of the characters' love and raise questions about the durability of their relationship. Unfortunately, as the story progresses, watching their relationship becomes more draining than heartwarming. The excessive drama eclipses the potential warmth, making the overall experience feel tiresome. Instead of evoking a sense of joy, the narrative leans heavily on dramatic elements, leaving viewers yearning for a more emotionally resonant and uplifting connection between the characters.

- Acting: The acting in this show is undeniably commendable, with the lead characters exhibiting fantastic chemistry that adds a compelling layer to the narrative. Their performances contribute significantly to the overall appeal of the series. However, the same cannot be said for the supporting cast, as their acting varies. While some moments showcase satisfactory performances, there are instances of awkwardness that prevent the overall ensemble from reaching the same level of excellence as the lead actors. Despite these inconsistencies, the strong chemistry between the main characters remains a standout feature, elevating the overall viewing experience.

- Music: Forgettable.

- Rewatch Value: The depiction of their love in the writing doesn't quite resonate with me, and despite a promising concept, the lack of memorable scenes makes it unlikely for me to consider revisiting this show anytime soon. While the idea behind the storyline holds potential, the execution falls short of leaving a lasting impression, resulting in a lack of compelling moments that would draw me back for a second viewing. It’s simply too dramatic for me.

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