Step by Step (2023)

The idea was better than the execution

First of all, I love office set BL. Highschool often feels a lot too young for me anymore - I'm at the age where too much drama feels forced and too little feels saccharine, a real goldilocks - university is better, but adults living in the adult world is best. I will watch just about any BL that has this element, and I love me a good office romance.

And honestly, that is where this drama excels the most for me. Because it didn't shy away from the reality of what can happen when you date the boss. The way that things mostly fell on Pat was realistic and very sad. Yes, Jeng had pressures too, but the reality of situations like this is that his head was never going to be on the chopping block. It was always going to be Pat who bore the brunt of their relationship, and I thought that the show was fairly realistic in portraying just what that looks like. I don't blame Pat for finding it overwhelming (and for being worried that he was getting opportunities for sleeping with the boss rather than because of his own abilities. That's what people will think regardless, and those kinds of rumours can and will kill a burgeoning career before it even starts, depending on how high they go). And while I was furious at the meeting with Jeng to discuss how his sexuality will negatively impact the company, that is real too. Real and disturbing, and I do appreciate that it was framed in a way to (hopefully) piss off the viewer, too. Because it isn't actually cool to tell someone that they should be in the closet so that your company's stock doesn't plummet - or cool that it should make the stock plummet in the first place, or that it will make people pull out of working with you. It's horrible and bigoted and it should be pointed out as a bad thing.

I also liked the chemistry between Pat and Jeng, especially at the end when they didn't have to worry about the job stuff.

I was not bothered as much about Pat's lack of maturity at the beginning as some - dude is barely out of college and he seems to just be a little sensitive in general - which is fine. He mostly managed to hold it together when he had to, and I'm not against sensitive or emotional characters as a general rule. That said, I do kind of wish that he'd been a little less like the Pat that left in episode 11 in episode 12. If we're doing the 2 year time skip thing then I would really like to see some growth out of both characters - we definitely got some out Jeng, in his new willingness to displease his father by forging his own path. But I felt like Pat was still where he was before, and that was a little disappointing.

I also don't know when Ying suddenly went from being one of the worst pains in the office to being on the core team and a major support for Pat during the rough times at work. It's definitely not something I am opposed to, but I want a character arc to have an arc, not just for it to happen all of a sudden. I don't know, maybe I missed something.

Chot was a delight and he should have been in every scene.

I was sad that the second couple didn't work out, but also I thought that it was realistic in a way you don't often see. Sometimes things just don't work, sometimes you can't put broken relationships back together. I'm unused to seeing a broken relationship stay that way, too, so it was a nice change even if I'd really rather it not become the norm.

Overall I feel like it was fine. I liked what it did with the office romance trope and I think I would like to see the leads in another show that has a tighter plot. But I probably won't watch this one again.

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It could be better with more episodes

Alright, the journey of Step by Step comes to an end and honestly I'm left with mixed feelings, especially after watching the last episode.

At first, I was so into the story and unlike some people, I really loved the work aspect so it didn't bother me. I liked the slow paced but some scenes could be more developped, it's a pity. I think it seems quite common for the production of DeeHup House even though they bring a nice quality in term of filming, cinematography and colors.

I think, it was quite risky to adapted a very long novel (3 books!) into a serie with 12 eps and as I said, it could be better with a few more episodes so they might not rush things.
There is also, sometimes, problem with editing, I'm sorry, I'm not maybe the good person to talk about it but as a viewer, it makes me unsatisfied and it's sad because I really love the idea, the storytelling. I wish I could rate it higher but then.. Maybe I'm also a bit too generous.

For the acting side, it was alright but then Man Trisanu stood up the most as Boss Jeng. I really like his character but also how he portrayed him with his expressions and how he delivered the lines. I could rate thanks to him 10/10 for the acting but then, I have to think about others and Ben Bunyapol as Pat, since it's his first work, it was alright, not bad but I think it's also because of the writing of his character who is quite childish and has some insecurities due to several reasons.

I wasn't so much fond of the side couple Jaab and Jane/Jen but I felt bad for them. They deserved a better ending.

Nonetheless, despite some flaws, I kind of miss them and miss every Tuesday because it was my comfort serie, I shared, even though I was just a viewer, the feelings, moments and the part of these characters slice of life.

The soundtracks are catchy, easy to listen, I really love it.

And wish the best for all of them and looking forward to their respective works.

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gay office romance, boss/employee, queer authenticity, external pressures

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loved about that show I loved about this one. This was an office romance between stern boss and sweet subordinate that felt more authentic to an office environment and queer life than previous Thai BLs of this ilk. And that authenticity added tension to the narrative and character development (how novel). Now that might be because it has western source material, or it might be because it is actually kind of old-fashioned (it’s been years since I worked as an office grunt, so don't know if the workplace is still like how they depicted it). I also really enjoyed the brothers’ relationship, and kinda wished they hadn’t attempted to give said brother his own side BL. That one flaw made it a 9/10 for me but I still really enjoyed this one.

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I'll Keep The Review Short!

I hate PAT!
I hate PAT'S faces.
I hate PAT'S acting.
I hate PAT'S personality.
I hate PAT's everything.

I don't care if this BL has a happy ending, sad ending, no ending. just end it. like I literally found myself mad watching this clusterfuck. PAT destroyed this series. remove him and it's watchable. whoever cast him and whoever directed this train wreck & allowed PAT to put forth that garbage and release it to the world should literally be ashamed. criminals should should be forced to watch this series as punishment. I'm sure they'd confess to anything to make it stop. I honestly wouldn't wish this series on anyone. ANYONE, DO YOU HEAR ME! I deserve my life back for the lost time I'll never recover while I watched this nonsense. I'm sure 5 years were taken off of my life after watching this rat shit. I'd rather break bricks with my teeth than to sit through this again.

ugh! I HATE PAT!
that's all. I'm out!

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I loved it!

This was a very fun and entertaining journey.

First of all Up (Put) is so gorgeous I would not have been mad if they ended up together. Obviously they don't because duh, but I didn't mind that pit stop in the show.

The music and double/triple takes on a scene wasn't my favorite. I'm learning many actors are not good with crying scenes. Maybe try eye drops or gosh even mist them with water idk lmao.

I feel some parts of the plot still need closure in the end (I'm looking at you Jen and Jaab), but also what happens with the company and the dad? What about the best friend that just slowly disappears. For a 2 hour finale I feel like all the loose ends should've been tied up.

but alas, I did love this show. Pat's story was an enjoyable experience, there was great character development. Definitely worth the watch!

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Taking the relationship step by step

I have now watched half of this series and I really love it! Their chemistry is amazing and even though the relationship is taking its steps slower than usually ( At least I feel like that. Could also be because the episodes are longer than usually) the story is still just as catchy. Time really flies when you are watching this series and I promise you will keep smiling like an idiot. The chemistry between Pat and Jeng is something that I have not seen in a while. Their eyes and gestures tell a lot about how they fell towards each other. I can't wait to see more of these heartwarming scenes between them. I am hoping that also Jaab can find someone who loves him whether it is Jen or not. To end this review I need say that Jeng and Jaab are the best siblings I have ever seen in a series. You can see that they care and love each other. Jaab is absolutely gorgeous btw.

Sometimes it is the best to take small steps to reach something big and beautiful.

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Slow burn office story with a hint of romance

I give it 7/10 because I still have SOME hope for this series!

I was really excited to watch this show after seeing the trailer. I think that increased my hopes for this series. I feel they should have taken inspiration from MSP and given us a mediocre trailer/teaser so that all of us went in with less hopes and actually be impressed with the series.

All characters are poorly written. The only characters who gave me good vibes were Chot (our queen) and Jen (but they added the cheating plot :( ).

I feel story was well thought out but it's being poorly implemented. I feel if the cast wasn't all new comers and had some really experienced or atleast well trained, it would have taken the series to heights. Yes, Jeng (Man) is acting to his fullest but even at times it feels uninspired and Pat (Ben) has only learnt 3-4 expressions and uses only those to express whatever he feels.

I get that story was written to project how the work happens in an office with talented employees and a boss with ambition to do well and it requires for them to show how it works, but it is being too dragged out.

To sum it up..
Do I like the acting? No, for most of them
Do I like the story? 100% [atleast it's better than watching 12-14 episodes of engineering students preparing for Freshy competitions or try to "court" each other by stalking]
Should I have started without it being completed? I don't think so! [As a complete series I might have been more interested, all the while skipping few filler scenes]
Will I watch the remaining episodes? For sure!

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Controversial Opinion here...I thought it was pretty good

Controversial Opinion here...I thought it was pretty good

All the current reviews right now are all 7s and lower. But me? I am honestly just built differently.

There are three things I need to touch on in this review.

1. I have never been so excited for a show to come out. Did it fall flat? Nah I don't think so.

Although there were definitely parts that could have been better executed. However, I feel like overall it was pretty darn solid.

I have finished it and all and all I feel pretty fulfilled. It gave me the perfect sense of anticipation and nervousness

2. Man/Mr. Jeng is one FINE ASS MOTHER FUCKER

Holy shit. He is the definition of an absolute daddy. The way he babied, took care of, and kind of put Pat into his place of this submissive role he was destined to play and I am 110% HERE FOR IT.

I know a lot of people don't like that. But I like the clique BL daddy dom x submissive housewife role troup a little too much

He is literally so fineeee for whattttt. HE NEEDED MORE SHIRTLESS SCENES LIKE WE NEED MORE OF YOUR YUMMY ABS AND YOUR PERFECT BODY...sorry

3. Why is Pat lokey so relatable?

Something goes wrong at work? Cry.

You get yelled at by someone's mom who you don't know? Cry.

Don't know how to feel about your mess of a love life? Cry.

Your boyfriend's lokey a manipulator but he's fine as hell so you thought it would be okay, but it's not? Cry.

Is your dad wearing some freaky-looking wig? Cry.

He cried a lot. LIKE A LOT. But that made him so relatable and kind of more likable because that is how I also deal with my emotions lmao.

Why was the birth scene necessary...It reminded me of Check Out and i hated it so much

Also, why did Jaab and Jen get an ending? Or are we getting another series for that?...

ALSO WHO PLAYS JAAB? BECAUSE DAMNNNNN YOU SO FINE. COME HERE WITH THAT MULLET. MULLET DADDY CORE.

****phrase I made up to describe them two and their situation:

"Maybe if you would stop 'tonguing' your boyfriend every chance you get, Mr. Jeng, yall would not have had a falling out for no reason."

****

One last thing. Ying is an icon for pursuing her BL writer dreams


Sorry if there are any mistakes, English is my first language. Just bad at it.

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everything is VERY natural

I was kind of afraid to start the series and have the same mistakes as usual (bad jokes, problems TOO big, or too small for the plot, or characters there just to fill the screen time) but everything is very good!

the boss employee relationship is very realistic, the way feelings are mixed between work relationship and personal relationship is cohesive, the way the secondary characters remind you of your own friends, the jokes are light-hearted but leave you with a smile on your face face whenever they appear (while you're watching you're either laughing or you're pissed. there's a middle ground), and how the protagonists' romantic feelings develop is very natural (especially outside the office).

the protagonist is funny, at the same time that he gets screwed he is always trying to put up with things in his time. sometimes he can't, that's what makes him more human, he takes himself to the limit and when he sees it, he breaks down, recomposes himself, and rebuilds himself. not the "social critique" or "oh he's so badass" type no. he does it just like us, he freaks out and when it all comes out he moves on.

the day to day is well worked, at the same time that he is finishing something another appears for him to solve, when he manages to solve it there is another dilemma appearing out of nowhere for him, and in the middle of all that he gets distracted and goes to take a picture from the sky because it looks beautiful.

jeng is cute, he makes mistakes in seeing his own flaws but when he sees it he tries to fix it, he is not that literal "bad boss" trope, but a person who charges himself a lot and this ends up escaping in his interactions with others, but not in an exaggerated way. and the fact that he doesn't know how to relax is a problem he has with himself and that's why he tries to solve it, because if it affects others he tries to change it. at the same time that he unknowingly becomes hesitant around the protagonist and tries to be someone better especially with him, because he wants him to like him. CUTE.

10/10 so far.

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The title makes sense

Finish this last year and honestly, it doesn't give me much impact sadly.

I've been looking forward to this drama ever since it the Pilot video came out. It's just my preference but I've always like plot where it's working characters instead of students. Just as the story is called "Step by Step", it makes sense why this story is quite a slow burn. So, for those who dislike that, this story is not for you!

Sadly, I would say the story went kinda downhill after later episodes. Mostly because of Pat. There was one review I read which I agreed on that said "Pat need to stop thinking everything revolves around him". Honestly, their "Conflict" part kind of pisses me of, aka Pat being so difficult. I honestly don't understand what's the deal with him and his reasoning is a little ???

He really does think everything is about him, which makes me feel bad about Jeng. He was trying his best to show sincerity and how he feels but ugh, Pat just pisses me off tbh. It took me awhile to finish the story - almost wanting to drop it - but manage to end it. Jeng came through at the end, and honestly, I stayed because of him. Ending was so so

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