Turn Left Turn Right (2020)

I picked this drama without expecting too much, since the long synopsis already outlines the drama plot. But once I started I kept wanting to watch the next scene or episode, curious to know what the leads were going to do. Unlike other voluntary time-altering dramas that the protagonists fix the past problems, this drama gives freedom for the three male leads (who initiate the time altering) to do whatever they want to do to follow their hearts. I am also surprised that it is not like a typical Thai drama/lakorn, and definitely free of slap/kiss, attempted sexual assault scenes, or other overly dramatic plot. Also, no mean villains or 'in-laws', and not much of elders involvement. Although as the story goes it gets darker, but I feel like this drama is aimed towards young adults viewers, because of the casual advice given on how to choose wise decisions and no presentation of severe punishments of what they have done.
About the ending. Along the drama, there were discussions in GMMTV official Youtube channel (where the English subbed drama was aired) until the final episode on who should end up with who or if someone should end up happily or not. I think the ending is more like a fan-service with satisfying ending, for this drama I am okay if the ending was different than what was presented.
Now the technical stuff. I think the director Dan did a decent job directing this drama with multiple main characters/couples and multiple stories. Lol, even if he did not do a good job there will be a Second Chance beer he can take (a cameo appearance of the director in the closing scene). Also to say the editing is not bad although the viewers are left with some confusions to figure out whether the scene we saw is the reality, the future, or just the dream or wish of the characters. Perhaps some confusing scenes were purposely done to leave the mysterious vibe of the drama.
Some acting are good as all main actors/actress are not newcomers. Some viewers commented that actors/actresses like Nanon, Singto, and Puimek have improved their acting skills in this drama, but since I have not watched lots or any of their works I cannot really judge them. The only thing that I like that some characterization are ambiguous, who can be villains and characters that you may hate at some point in this drama. I am glad that Tor character is remained mysterious: is he just a bar owner, a moonshiner who invented a secret beer recipe, a tarot card fortune teller, an angel, or God?
Whatever Tor is, I applauded Singto Numchok (who played as Tor) as a singer and musician, since the OST song "Second Chance" he wrote and sang is so catchy, a nice sing-a-long song with Caribbean tone. Here is the official MV link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWxjrGM_3WM
Rewatch value? Not really, since you already know how the leads decisions end then the magic is gone. The only thing I may want to rewatch is the OST music video.

Read More

Something is missing.

The concept of the show is good. Although going back to past to redeem mistake is overdone plot device, it was interesting story had a different take on cliche subject. I was fully interested to see the story once I read synopsis and knew who were the actors. Acting wise, I don't have much complaints. Honestly all of them did good just not excellent. Yet the execution was a mess. The story felt confusing at multiple points.
But the main issue of plot was characters. I am not complaining about flawed characters. I love a plot with characters even if they dont have strong moral compass, because in the end, society is made up of flawed human beings. I couldn't like any of them except for Singto's and Puimek's. For me if a story is showing a main character(not villain) with questionable decisions, I would want redemption arc or even without it, some kind of backstory which would help us to empathize with character. Aye was just plain mean and rude. Nanon's character had some background, but he came off to me as plain jerk, without enough scenes to let viewers understand Tai. So in the end scene when Earn forgave Tai, I was so pissed off, despite actors having great chemistry. And for Pat's story, it was a mess as well. I honestly liked it before Pat turned out to be a lying psychopath.

Read More

Don't Turn!

I'm sure many of us can think of a time when we wanted to go back to something that happened in our life so we can change it - that could be making it better or not making it happen.

This show was so interesting. Would you let the worst parts of yourself come to the surface or would you take the chance that you missed and hope everything turns out as you imagined? Do you even know how much of yourself you are holding back?

Nanon, as usual, was great. His ability to act as different personalities within the same show always impresses me. Singto's character was so real: not wanting to let an opportunity pass him by.

The way that things didn't necessarily go in the direction as expected was also real. In our heads, we think we know how things will turn out, but we really don't. No one can predict the future. You might have an idea, but won't know for sure.

What l liked: it showed us, in a matter of fact way, that we don't always get what we want. The acting was so good. The motivation of each character was shown and the consequences of the actions were clearly shown.

Read More

First of all I have to say that I started to watch this drama only and completely because of Nanon. (Because I truly love that little cutie.)

Overall this drama is good. But I think because this drama revolves around three main characters, sometimes the story gets messy and boring.

Maybe I felt that way because I watched this drama only because of Nanon, and so I was not interested in the story of the other two except for Nanon's story.

So here I'm only talking about the Nanon's character, Tai.

I think if a story shows us a main character with questionable decisions, it should also show us some kind of backstory, which would help us to emphasize that character. So when it comes to Nanon's character (Tai), even though he has some background, I just saw him as a complete jerk. Because there are not enough scenes to let us understand Tai. I mean seriously Tai? Don't you have a brain? Don't you have a heart? No matter how much I loved Nanon, I couldn't help but get angry at this character, Tai ಠ_ಠ. (At some points I thought how good the Tai was before he drank that drink and went back to change the past. Because at that time I felt as if he was a good boy who loved his lover very much. But after coming back from change the past, he acted as a completely different person with no common sense, no heart, and no concern for other people's feelings. I honestly liked him before he turned out to be such a jerk.) So in the end scene, when Earn is forgave Tai, I was so pissed off despite how much I love Nanon. (I mean, it's ok, but how could she forgive him that easily after what he did to her?)

When it comes to their acting, I don't have any complaints. It's just this story that felt confusing at multiple points.

Read More