Yes! A good Thai GL!

I have been waiting for GMM to release a GL and 23.5 did not disappoint! Whether or not you like the school-type romance, it is a genre that GMM has managed to perfect. I loved MilkLove in Bad Buddy, so when they announced they'd be starring in a GL, I knew I'd be watching it.

Ongsa recently transferred from the countryside to a school in Bangkok, where she happens to run into Sun, a girl she's been following on social media for awhile. While Sun and Ongsa become friends in real life, they also start chatting on social media - except Sun doesn't know she's texting Ongsa, and thinks it's a boy named Earth. Scared to reveal her true identity, Ongsa plays the part of Earth as long as she can, but knows Sun will eventually find out. She can't help but wonder: what would Sun do if she knew she was texting a girl? Even if Sun likes Ongsa, what would other people say behind their back about them?

This show is very cute - again, it's your typical high school romance but between two girls in the same class. The main conflicts bring up points that a queer high schooler would likely relate to - issues of internalized homophobia, the fear of other people's opinions, and the possibility of rejection. It's a great show that isn't too intense and is just a light and fun watch. I think that if you enjoyed GMM's BLs like My School President or Bad Buddy, you'd really enjoy this one. There are conflicts I wish they would have fleshed out a bit more, but overall I had a great time watching this weekly.

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WAY better than I expected

Even though I have seen this drama recommended over and over again, I kept putting off watching it because I don't like hospital dramas typically. But then I started watching it and was HOOKED. This isn't your typical hospital drama with the focus on a patient every episode. It's so much better.

Tin is a third year resident doctor in the ER. His job is busy - there's constantly people that need his attention, whether that be for some scrapes and bruises or for CPR emergencies. When he's not dealing with that, he has to deal with Professor Sak on his back about prioritizing the right cases and sending the rest to him. One particularly busy day, Tin gets multiple life-or-death cases, and he attempts to help a college student named Tol who was in a car crash. No matter how hard he tries, Tin can't save him and the student dies. Then, when Tin wakes up before his shift, he realizes that he's living the same day over again, down to the last detail. When Tol shows up in the ambulance once again, Tin's attempts still fail to save him. How many times will Tin have to relive this tragedy? How can he change it, and what repercussions will these changes have?

The way that Tin and Tol's relationship develops over the course of the show is absolutely spectacular. It's not the main point of the show, but rather a secondary plotline that helps build the characters they're playing. Watching Tin get closer and closer to Tol, but still having to watch him die over and over again is painful but amazing to watch.

I was worried that it would get stale and that watching Tin repeat his days would get too repetitive but BOY was I wrong! Tin's character continues to find new ways to attempt to save Tol, but this can lead to unexpected consequences. The further he goes back in time, the closer he can get to Tol, and the larger the impact of his actions on his future. This was a series that surprised me throughout the entire show and is not one to miss.

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Disappointing

I think the issue here was the writing of the characters. I love watching crime dramas, and I thought I would be really into this based on the synopsis, but it unfortunately missed the mark. I've seen Jang Kiyong in other shows and really enjoyed his performance, but his character in this one totally fell flat. You're waiting for something to happen between him and the female lead, waiting for his cold exterior to crack, and you never really get that. His character isn't very likeable, and even though you're rooting for him, you're not really sure why.

I think they also tried to do a bit too much weird worldbuilding and almost sci-fi kinda stuff. It felt like it should have been introduced earlier or simplified in order for it to make sense. I feel like there was a lot of potential wasted on this one.

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Unfinished and Unsatisfying

While watching this drama, I LOVED it. I had recently finished Devil Judge with Ji Sung and wanted to watch something else with him in it and this seemed like the perfect drama for me. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and it was super fun to watch.

Then, as we neared the end, I started to wonder how they could wrap this show up. So many loose ends, so much unsolved still. I was excited to see how they would pull it off!! And then they didn't pull it off at all. It felt like when an American show thinks it'll be renewed for another season but it gets canceled and doesn't have an actual ending to it. If it had a proper ending, it would've been a FANTASTIC drama.

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I thought this was a cute and happy show. I was wrong!!

I LOVED the best friends to lovers plotline. It was done so well, and the longing that Eiw felt was portrayed so well. THe dynamic between Cake and Eiw was done perfectly, and the actors had amazing chemistry.

I did think that they could have sped things up a little bit. Earth cried SO much in this series, and while he's a great actor, at some point you get tired of a character constantly being upset about the situation. But honestly, it was so well done that I didn't even mind much. One of the BEST scenes addressing what it feels like to have to come out to people and not know if they will accept you or not. Many BLs don't address the internalized homophobia aspect of this, and it's done so well in this show. The time jump was seamless and perfectly placed, and helped the show a lot. I think the last two episodes should have been moved up by one so that we got a finale centered around the relationship and not external issues.

Overall a fantastic show. Definitely worth the watch!

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It's not a good show, but man is it funny.

As a serious show? It's not good. They could have totally done more with the internalized homophobia bit but they just didn't. Instead, Type never really seems to get over his homophobia, and claims to hate all gays except for Tharn which doesn't really solve the issue here.

As a comedy? It's kind of great. The acting isn't the best, the writing is much worse. The sound effects went crazy for no reason. Questionable consent throughout the first season but MAN did they mic them up for those make out scenes. Why? I don't know. But I did have a good laugh at it. The conflicts are repetitive and unnecessary. We get it, you're homophobic.

I can't really recommend anyone to watch this seriously. It's not good. But man, it's fun to make fun of.

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Homophobic stereotypes but in a BL?

Definitely not a bad series, but fairly mediocre. The two leads kinda seem like best bros instead of a couple, which defeats the whole purpose of the plot.

Normally, I like a good fake dating plot. But the reason behind the fake dating scheme they come up with seems oddly homophobic? The stereotype of "predatory gay guy" coming on to a guy that has already rejected him in hopes of him becoming gay is just gross and unnecessary.

Then, once we start the fake dating plot, they are supposed to develop real feelings for each other (duh, that's the whole point) but it feels like that never really happens and they just keep pretending. Overall, fairly enjoyable but not one of my favorites.

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Frustrating conflicts but interesting relationship

The amount of BLs that begin with a drunken/mistaken hookup only for one of them to fall in love is a little alarming. Vee, who has a girlfriend, hooks up with Mark, who is too drunk to recognize who Vee is. Bad start.

The building of the relationship is actually pretty good in this one though, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The chemistry between the actors is great. Unfortunately, the one major conflict throughout the entire series is the conflict presented in the first episode: Vee has a girlfriend. But somehow, Mark seems to be the only one that cares about this?

I feel like this would have been better as an 8 episode series, where they could have resolved some conflicts earlier and let them be happy for a little while. It got repetitive and frustrating after awhile. Definitely an enjoyable watch, but I feel like if I was watching this weekly as it aired I would've been frustrated enough to drop it.

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LOVE

High school dramas can be either really good or really bad. This is one of the really good ones.

Both characters are easy to identify with and you sympathize with both of them for different reasons. Akk is the prefect president, who carries the weight of the school on his shoulders. While it may not seem like it, he struggles to keep up the "perfect child" persona he's always played. Ayan, the recent transfer, seems to be a rebellious troublemaker that Akk is tasked with keeping in line. However, Ayan's true intentions were never to cause trouble for Akk.

Not sure if you could really call this enemies to lovers, but they do start off as rivals of some sort. Akk and Ayan seem to be polar opposites, but slowly realize they find comfort in each other. This series also deals with issues of internalized homophobia, as well as outward homophobia from peers in school. The "Suppalo curse" storyline is a little unbelievable at times, but the way it is executed and the twists involved make up for anything it lacks.

My one complaint is the dream sequence. Why did they do that to us. Regardless, the tension between Akk and Ayan is perfect, the actors have great chemistry, and the pacing of the relationship is well done. One of my favorite BLs to date.

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Slowburn but great development!

While I do think the relationship developed a bit slow, it was very cute to watch. Tian, who recently got a heart transplant, follows in the footsteps of the heart's former owner and become a volunteer teacher in a small village. There, he meets Phupha, the chief of the forest protection service. Tian learns that his heart donor was in love with Phupha, and realizes that he may be falling for him too.

I loved seeing Tian's growth as a character. From a rich kid with no cares in the world, ready to gamble away all his parents money, to an independent adult who decides that he should use his time to be around people that he cares about and help others. Seeing his relationship with Phupha develop was very satisfying and enjoyable to watch. Though there are moments of heartbreak and conflict, the dynamic between these characters is wonderful to watch unfold.

It did feel like a lot of the show was spent waiting for Tian and Phupha to finally be together. If you don't like a slow burn romance, this one is not for you. Personally, I enjoyed watching each character grow and change after meeting the other, and seeing how this change finally led them to be together was very satisfying.

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No matter how many BLs I watch, I always come back to this one.

One of the best BLs I've seen, if not the very best. Gun's acting as both Black and White was phenomenal. The slight differences that he manages to portray between identical twins is so convincing, it feels like there are two actors playing them.

The relationship is paced perfectly. Definitely a slower relationship development than a lot of shows, but that's exactly what makes it so convincing. The actors have amazing chemistry and really sell the development of the characters' relationship. No conflict is overly drawn out either, which saves the viewer from unnecessary frustration.

The plot outside of the romance is fantastic. You've got this gang of college students attempting to fight for justice in a way that they see fit, except each individual has their own idea of what exactly this means and how to go about it. Naturally, this causes conflicts between them. I thought this helped to make the relationships between all the characters that much more convincing. You really sympathize with the cause behind why they're fighting, and root for them even when they might not be in the right. Following them through this justice-seeking journey is a thrilling watch when paired with the development of Sean and White's relationship.

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An unfulfilling short series

I was really excited to start The Bequeathed because it seemed like it had everything I liked wrapped up into a short 6-episode series. It wasn't until I started the final episode that I realized there was no way they could wrap everything up as cleanly as I would have liked. The twists in the story weren't all that surprising, and I felt that I wasn't too invested in ay of the characters.

Yoon Seoha finds out she has inherited a family burial ground from a recently deceased uncle whom she had never met. Meanwhile, she finds out her husband is cheating on her and she likely didn't get the job promotion she thought she would. When a man claiming to be her half-brother starts fighting her for this burial ground, it seems like Seoha's life is spiraling out of control. No matter which way she turns, it seems that only hardships follow, and though she's suspecting everyone around her, she can't help but feel like it may be her family's own bad karma.

When it comes to crime K-dramas, there's a high bar. I love a good mystery, a good investigation, and a good, well-thought out killer. Unfortunately, this one just didn't quite deliver. While it was a very enjoyable and quick watch, I felt that something was lacking the whole time. I found Seoha difficult to sympathize with, as she always threw the blame on the closest person and never seemed to think things through. If they wanted to focus on the police investigation, they could have done that too, but that also felt like it was only peripheral even though they attempted to flesh out the cops working the case as much as they could. I think this story would have been a lot more compelling if told from the perspective of the lead detective instead of Seoha, or if Seoha was a bit more likeable as a character. Still, it was a fun show and an easy watch because of its length.

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STUNNING

I went into this with an open mind, as I've never watched Thai historical dramas before but tend to enjoy them from other countries, so figured I should give it a shot. This is one of if not the most beautifully shot show I have ever seen. It is simply stunning to watch. The characters and storyline are written perfectly, and the backdrop of 1920s Chiang Mai is beautiful.

After a horrible ending to his long-term relationship, Jom (Nonkul) goes out drinking and ends up crashing his car into a lake. Luckily, he manages to get out and survive - but wakes up 100 years in the past. He washed up on the land of a wealthy lord, and is taken in to be a servant for the son of the lord, Yai (Bright). Both Jom and Yai seem to recognize each other from their dreams, and the two quickly become closer. Naturally, this creates rumors and problems for Yai, as there are certain expectations of him. Jom, who is still trying to return to his time, seems to slowly become content with staying where he's at, as long as it means he can stay with Yai. However, between the societal pressure they face as a couple and the complications with Jom's time traveling, they both fear that all these good things must eventually come to an end.

This show blew me away. I can't believe I loved it as much as I did, and would urge anyone that likes historical dramas to give it a try. It was perfectly executed. My biggest qualms with many Thai dramas tend to be drawn out and unnecessary conflicts, but those were never present here. Truly a wonderful drama that I couldn't recommend more.

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Stunning, Emotional, and Nearly Perfect

As is typical with shows directed by Aof, this is a masterpiece. The visuals are beautiful, the acting wonderful, and the storyline nearly perfect. I watched this as it aired and I looked forward to it every single week.

Day (Sea) has recently gone blind and is suffering mentally because of this. He has fallen into a depressive episode, refusing to leave his room or even open his blinds. His mom has had to hire caretaker after caretaker because no one can seem to put up with Day and his attitude - until Mhok (Jimmy). Mhok is trying to get any job he can to earn money, which isn't too easy when you have a criminal record. Day knows his mom will hate Mhok, which is precisely why he chose him, hoping that this will stop his mom from hiring someone else. Unexpectedly, Mhok seems more committed to this job than anyone ever has, and it seems that the key to winning Day over was simply to treat him like a normal person. Slowly, feelings start to develop between the two as Mhok shows Day that life can be just as wonderful even though he's gone blind.


*Spoilers Start Here*

Up until the finale, this show was actually perfect. Not a plot point was out of place, the pacing was wonderful, and the development of the characters and their relationship was absolutely beautiful. Watching Mhok and Day learn about themselves through each other and fight to be together was absolutely wonderful. However, the only reason I couldn't give this a 10/10 was the finale. I was concerned the first time Day received the cornea transplant, and was surprisingly relieved when it didn't work. I kept thinking - this entire show is about overcoming the challenges of being blind and Day learning to accept himself and his new reality, so why would they make it so he could see again? So in the finale when Day gets a SECOND cornea transplant that works, I was a little disappointed. It felt a bit like saying "your life will get better because your disability can be healed!" which is not typically how that works. I understand the narrative they made of "giving things a second chance" and how the second cornea transplant worked into that, but it still felt a bit off to suddenly throw in Day regaining his sight in a show that otherwise focused on how he could make the most of his life and be happy and in love despite his disability. So, I can only say this show was nearly perfect. It is still a beautiful show that is 100% worth watching, though it is an emotional one. Luckily, these emotional aspects aren't the typical relationship troubles, but rather Mhok and Day as a couple working through the hardships that come their way.

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Messy!!! (in the best way)

Imagine the messiest person you know - someone that always has drama, makes too big of a deal about things, etc. Now imagine six people like that who are all (loosely) in the same friend group. That's the plot of Only Friends.

The show was NEVER boring. I was screaming at the TV and pausing to take deep breaths every single episode. You've got Mew (Book), Ray (Khaotung), and Boston (Neo) who are all pretty close friends (plus their lesbian friend Cheum (Lookjun)). In an attempt to help Mew get laid, Boston sets him up with his friend Top (Force). Mew and Top hit it off, but instead of a one night stand, start going on dates. Things start getting messy when Boston and Ray seem to be jealous of this relationship for different reasons; things get messier when bar singer Sand (First) meets Ray, and Boston starts seeing Nick (Mark). These six "friends" seem to be anything but - and they are much too willing to hurt each other in order to get what they want.

This show was super fun. It was the boldest show I've seen from GMM, and it was done well. With this many characters, it's hard to keep them all interesting and dynamic, but they did an excellent job with it. It was juicy all the way through without a moment to rest. And while I sometimes do wish there were more happy moments throughout, or more instances of positive character growth, it was extremely entertaining to watch and had me yelling at each character for different reasons. Definitely worth a watch.

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