Big Dragon (2022)

Can love be born from hate?

The term Enemies-to-Lovers describes a narrative arc in which protagonists begin as sworn enemies or adversaries, only to gradually discover a deeper connection that transcends the initial animosity.
A common pretext in romantic movies and series is the enmity between the protagonists to end up together in an enviable love story.
Although it is a cliché, some dramatized have become classics of film and television for showing that there is only one step from hate to love.
'Big Dragon' is one of those stories in which the protagonists appear to be polar opposites and end up attracted by a chemistry produced throughout the series.
This 2022 LGBTIQ+ themed Thai romantic comedy-drama is directed by Puwadon Naosopa in his debut as a drama director and writer after directing the special 'Secret Theory of Kissing' two years earlier, who co-wrote the script with Boy Mitpracha Outtaros. Both acknowledge that the decision to explore homosexual romance comes in response to what fans wanted. They wanted to "redress the balance" and write a typical romantic comedy, but with young gay people.
The creators bring to life a romantic story, in which everything happens in a more realistic way. It is a story about the search for human connections, about discovery, about acceptance, about the difficulty of discovering one's identity and finding a place in the world, and someone to share it all with. In short, it is about young people who want to be something more and who embark on a clear transformative journey.
However, what began as a natural dislike between the two gradually turns into romance, which is complicated due to Mangkorn's father's wishes for his son to marry his childhood friend's daughter and the pressure Yai has a family relationship with a dead mother and an absent father and now in a new relationship that Yai opposes for the wrong reasons.
What makes romantic comedies so irresistible? Is it the certainty that its structure, already quite well known, gives to the viewer? Or is it the joy we get from seeing two people we know are made for each other fall in love on screen? For whatever reason, through romcoms we have been shown many of the dynamics of falling in love and romance, which is why it is appreciated that in more recent years their stories are about more diverse groups than the typical heterosexual white couple.
'Big Dragon' is an example of this: a beautiful romance between two young adults separated by their social contexts.
It is beautiful how they live, separately and in different ways, the process of accepting homosexuality, denying that they like a person of the same sex, stating that what happened between them was motivated by alcohol and drugs, asking friends for guidance, looking for women as a way to confirm heterosexuality, or even getting into fist fights.
Based on the best-selling Thai PG-18 novel of the same name by Aiden N Vivienne, the series stars Mos Panuwat Sopradit and Bank Mondop Heamtan, as Mangkorn, and Yai, respectively.
Mangkorn is a fifth-year architecture student, attractive and confident. Yai is a rich, self-centered and spoiled student at the same university, but majoring in Business Administration. Both have the power to cast a spell on the public with just a look.
Yai believes that Mangkorn is his romantic rival, imagining that he is also in love with the girl he likes. So he seeks to make him look ridiculous. One night, at his father's newly inherited pub, Yai and Mangkorn drink together. His nefarious plans fail due to the mistake of his bodyguards, whom he had ordered to mix something in Mangkorn's drink. This is how he and Mangkorn end up spending a night of wild sex together.
When he wakes up, he discovers that Mangkorn has taken the images of the hot sexual encounter between the two. Realizing that he has been outwitted and now his prestige is in the hands of Mangkorn, who could do the same thing he planned to publish the video to take revenge, Yai vents his anger in the pub.
He hopes to forget what happened between them. So, he requests the services of an architecture company to carry out renovations to the premises with the intention of erasing the memories of the sinful night, but he soon discovers that one of the members of the team of hired designers is the person he wants to forget.
The new frictions that arise from having to see each other frequently lead them to start a romance and discover their sexuality together. What they did not expect is that feelings stronger than hatred would arise between them. The classic romantic trope of "enemies to lovers" becomes relevant when two presumably heterosexual young people are involved.
Just like the dragon and the tiger, the two couldn't be more at odds with each other. But their destinies become inseparably intertwined, leaving resentments behind and managing to turn their hostility into love.
The tumultuous relationship will cause both boys to find love for the first time in their lives, in addition to growing as human beings.
'Big Dragon' sounds like fan fiction and looks like it too. However, as in any worthwhile romance, the director gets us to support the transition from cheeky couple of rivals to boyfriends, before becoming bed partners. Puwadon Naosopa is supported, and convincingly so, by the cinematographer, who portrays the protagonists with such adoration, that you almost expect them, between kisses and sensual moans in the frequent sexual encounters, to turn towards the camera and promote a bottle of perfume.
Queer romantic narratives have found a solid place in BL series and this drama is positioned as a testament to this advancement.
There is a bit of a twist in everything, since the situation is somewhat complicated for the two protagonists, but in the end it is one of those stories that leave you with a good taste in your mouth, and lifts your spirits, in addition to the strong chemistry of the two boys and the solid performances of a debutant Mos and Bank in his first leading role, for the brilliant visual effects, its majestic soundtrack and the greatness of the cinematographic skill.
It is truly an irresistible couple between Thai actor Mos Panuwat Sopradit and Thai-American singer ISBANKY, who also lends his voice to sing "Dancing with the Devil", the main theme of the series, and "Just Smile".
In the technical section, the weight falls almost entirely on the development of the relationship and charisma of its stars, who are surrounded by a luxurious and aspirational dreamlike environment.
The series is also packed with enough romantic tropes to bring together that fuzzy, familiar feeling of any formulaic on-screen love story. There are 'enemies to lovers', 'opposites attract', 'forbidden romance', 'he fell in love first, but he fell in love harder' and in the endings a 'pen pals/lovers' interlude.
The main strength of 'Big Dragon' is Mondop Heamtan, whose charming performance is helped by the fact that he has most of the best lines and manages to border on being arrogant without becoming conceited.
The sincere but impetuous Mangkorn is a more difficult role, but Mos Panuwat Sopradit manages to give the role enough gravitas to achieve dialogue like "I want to stay here with you. And one more thing: I've wanted to fix things with my family. No I can run away from the problem forever."
The story embraces and demonstrates that the growth of queer young adult fiction reflects a generational shift toward a more open and inclusive attitude toward gender diversity and sexual orientation.
Historically in romance, queer characters have been unhappy, or even killed off. However, in 'Big Dragon', homosexuality leads to happiness.
Mangkorn and Yai not only have the possibility of beginning a journey that will lead them to experience a true individual transformation by falling in love: they give voice to the desires of queer and diverse young people who want to see a "happily ever after" represented on screen that resembles them.
Puwadon Naosopa understands that the key to success for any romantic comedy-drama is the chemistry between its protagonists, something that Mondop Heamtan ISBANKY and Panuwat Sopradit have plenty of. Although they are both very attractive, this is not enough when it comes to presenting a successful on-screen romance: we have had countless examples of unconvincing gorgeous couples in film and television. However, that is not the case here, since both prove to be good romantic interests and this work has been the first in which they have been able to exploit their gifts as romantic protagonists, and which have subsequently been able to give them new dimensions in other dramas, such as ' SunsetxVibes' and 'Y Journey: Stay Like a Local'
Despite social pressures, jealousy, the presence of a new love interest who will try to come between the two, the need to separate for student reasons, the relationship between the two develops organically and gradually: the romance is credible and you melts the heart.
The social context also adds a credible burden of difficulties while helping to develop their characters beyond the romantic relationship. Although the conventions of the romantic comedy are followed to the letter (something very typical of the genre), its characters and situations move away from clichés. There is also an honest approach to homosexual desire, the interactions in sex between two men and the conflicts of expressing their love in an environment guided by appearances and heteronormativity.
Thanks to the charisma, tenderness and attractiveness of its protagonists, its social context and irresistible romantic plot, 'Big Dragon is a charming love series made for fans of this type of content. It doesn't break much of the mold in terms of its structure, but its characters and situations are unique enough to avoid falling into stereotypes. As far as modern romantic comedy-drama goes, it has my vote.

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It's not that bad but it could've been way better. The first episode starts off with the main character committing a crime recording himself and his rival having an affair. And that's weird per se. But then the story gets engaging and somehow (literally: how did it happen?) the two of them are in a relationship, without defining the nature of it.
I'm not bother about this lack of labels, I find that realistic to an extent. What bothers me is how the development feels rushed, without any breaking-points. It's a pity we couldn't see how they get close to each other, how they get to realize each other's feelings. Even if trivial, the storyline could've been showed much more better and even more meaningfully since the show touches so many interesting topics. The actors would be amazing showing a deeper meaning, or just in a well-done slow burn enemies-to-lovers serie.

In fact, the cast is so good. So good. I loved how Bank portraits Yai's sadness, also Mos' loving eyes in the romantic scenes are out of this world. I'll look forward for them to act in another drama together.

Thumbs up to the sound team too: the ost is incredible.

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Couldn't watch past episode 3

Everything was a hot mess. Nothing made analytical sense. The lead characters are offputting and pretentious. I for one cannot stand the main character, Yai, who exercises poor judgment after poor judgment and isn't charming or likable enough to get a pass. The way he handled seeing another guy being slightly interested in the same woman as him is criminal. This guy recorded a rape tape on a camcorder but thought it could ONLY be found on someone else's phone is not only dumb but not how that works. Yet, for some multitude of reasons he is obsessed with getting his hands on the other main character, Mangkorn's phone, and then proceeded to explain every detail of what we saw him do to this guy's phone to him. Do we care? No. Does Mangkorn love his phone that much that he'll care how you destroyed it? No. And for some reason, Mangkorn found Yai's stupidity so hot that he pulled the latter into the next room to ask for consensual sex. Except he didn't care for an answer and demanded that Yai do as he said anyway. Completely and utterly pointless. I ended the show there.

I don't mind dark and flawed protagonists, but I can't stand dark, flawed, and dumb protagonists.

I understand that when a parent introduces his/her new significant other to you it can be uncomfortable but not when said parent has spoiled you rotten and is giving you their most beloved bar to renovate and run. Not to mention this was a working parent who was only home at least 5 times a year. Yai throwing a tantrum over "family" lunch after his dad flew into town because there may be a potential stepmother was so uncalled for. I'd understand his mixed emotions if he was 12 or 14 but the guy is grown enough for BDSM. Let your hardworking dad be happy, my guy.

The opening and ending song is the only thing I liked about the show

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explosive, impulsive and horny

Yai is explosive, impulsive, and a hothead. I love it. Him making the most out of there decisions is actually so realist, you can tell he doesn't think ahead what so ever. And I feel that on a molecular level. I love it. I liked the plot; the chemistry between these two was great. A lot of stuff felt consistent, and I liked it. I liked the lousy humor, mainly from the bodyguards. They were really goofy and funny. The story was something. not great nor bad, just something. The acting was good for the most part, but in some scenes I was like, "What the hell?" No chance; they just ended on a cliffhanger, okay? So I'm going to watch season 2, duh. I liked their dynamic, and I liked the realness of Yai for not thinking before he acts. He’s good at giving dirty looks and puppy-dog eyes. And let’s just say he has a taste in men. A good taste but a taste none the less. The credits are rolling. Another good one. 9 out of 10. Cheers!

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INTERESTING STORY START TO FINISH!!

I don't understand why there are many bad reviews!!!! IT WAS SIMPLY AN AWESOME WATCH! I liked it to the point of coming back here to write a review after watching the entire series 'cuz I searched it up here and read the reviews before watching which made me not have high expectations at all.

Surprisingly, the plot was so smooth. It did have so many tags stuffed in but never once did I find it messy or overwhelming. The series made me laugh a lot, cry a lot but the best part is, it's a HAPPY ENDING.

I love how even though the main characters are imperfect at dealing with their emotions, tried their best to work things out. Such a beautiful drama all in all.

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Taking the tour

While Big Dragon (BD) offers nothing new, it's still worth watching for BL fans. The attraction and cinematic volume for Big Dragon have been explored in KinnPorsche. The hate-to-love relationship story presents in almost the BL series. Handsome and beautiful faces are a basic requirement to be in the BL. And well, after many stories revolving around Engineering program and its students, now, the Thai BL era has entered the BL stories in the Architecture program (Bad Buddy, Big Dragon, etc.).

Why is BD still worth watching? My question is as a BL fan what is to expect from the BL series? If you are expecting to see handsome faces, a bit of soft-sexual touch man-to-man, chemistry, a bit of humor and a good production; BD has those all. So, it is worth watching. BD will insert some imaginative stories into the fiction world of BL about very attractive university students who have no barrier in acting to have sex and love between M2M. The question left to answer for the main character Mangkorn and Yai is only, do I love this guy? if yes, what does it take to love him? Answering this question will be the tour of this 8-episode series. I am taking the tour because even though I am not expecting something new from the tour, I am still looking forward to how they will unpack the journey of this tour.

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So it's finally started. After the success of the (admittedly gleeful) trainwreck that was KinnPorsche, Thailand is now proceeding with the various third-rate knockoffs involving problematic relationships and tonal confusion. It's true the terrible Unforgotten Night came before this but here we are. Now instead of producing a series of cheap Lovesick imitations we're in for a long hard couple of years of KinnPorsche wannabes with little thought or planning behind them.

I'd explain what happened in the first episode I watched but none of it made any sense. And, in possibly a worse criticism (considering the genre), the sex scene was clunky and, well, unsexy. At least KinnPorsche's sex scenes were genuinely erotic (as long as you didn't think too hard at the relationships and circumstances around it) but the one that underpins this episode is just flat out badly written, acted and directed.

I didn't know why these two men were having sex. Nor why one of the main characters decided he needed to remodel his bar afterwards. All I knew was that I was confused and bored and, if the former can be handwaved, the latter cannot.

So unless your commitment to watching awkward men simulate bad sex is high, avoid for now. Its not like there won't be a new version of this story next week.

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My opinion about...this thingy....

I think that my rating is pretty much good explanation. It's just bad.... if I'd rewatch it (and I probably won't) I'd do it just to make fun of it. Definitely NOT recommending.

I don't really like the cast and the characters, but the best one is that girl those 2 had a crush on idk( and I don't give a fuck about) her name. I don't know how to feel about the main couple.

Music is okay-ish. Not something I'd listen to and definitely not my type of music but not that bad and unbearable.

It kinda reminds me of Unforgotten night....but from AliExpress I'm sorry but...

If this thing would let me rate lower I'd definitely do that.

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Uma das melhores do ano, sem dúvidas!

Essa foi uma série que esperei bastante, e não me decepcionou!
Uma série esplêndida, um roteiro lindo e bem detalhado, com cenas de amor que são verdadeira poesia.
Tem falhas? tem! Mas a maior parte é de beleza e coerência.

O roteiro fala sobre Yai e Mangkorn. Yai é um jovem universitário rico que administra um bar de sua família, Mangkorn é um outro universitário que acaba sendo contratado pelo pai de Yai para ajudá-lo na reforma desse bar. A questão é que antes disso, Yai tem uma paixão secreta por uma amiga, que coincidentemente é sênior de Mangkorn, e ao vê-los juntos num restaurante imagina que ele está dando em cima dela e decide se vingar, drogando-o e dormindo com ele na frente de uma filmadora. O tiro saiu pela culatra, Yai ficou sob o efeito da droga e eles acabaram transando, e Mangkorn levou consigo o cartão SD com a filmagem. Eu poderia problematizar aqui a questão do consentimento, e tal, mas o contexto como a situação ocorreu deixa margem para uma bela passada de pano para ambos.

Após esse acontecimento, um fica perseguindo o outro: Yai persegue em busca de tomar de volta o cartão. Mangkorn persegue tentando forçar uma amizade, já que depois ele confessa que gosta de Yai desde que eram calouros. Eu particularmente achei a tal vingança muito sem noção, pois obviamente ele não usaria o vídeo... também achei bem desnecessária a presença dos dois seguranças trapalhões, que tiveram como única serventia um pouco de alívio cômico.

Pra ser bem sincera, eu não consegui identificar direito, mesmo depois de ver a série 3 vezes, o momento exato em que a animosidade se tornou amor. Achei super fofo incluírem um casal GL na trama, pois isso ajudou a amenizar a situação do casamento forçado, situação ridícula, por sinal, bem clichê.

A coisa que mais me chama atenção nessa série são as cenas de amor, exatamente por não terem nada de vulgaridade... elas são muito poéticas, fazem um uso espetacular da fotografia, fora a química do casal, que é incrível. A ost da série é mágica, complementa os momentos do casal. A fotografia, como já citei, é um dos recursos mais bem utilizados, a atuação de todos é muito boa, e os pequenos furos existentes acabam ficando para trás em meio a tanta qualidade.

Amo essa série... verei sempre que a saudade bater e recomendo com certeza.

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