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didn't live up to its promise...
Overall: unfortunately they must have changed writers from the prequels (https://youtu.be/PsGI1LJn-7Q and https://youtu.be/estp_6mHi1s) and we got unfunny parts and nonsense stuff instead of a realistic angsty series. Airing on WeTV and YouTube (according to the company YouTube will be 3 hours later).Content Warnings: bullying, death (past), grief, vomiting
What I Liked
- the child actors did a great job
- cute/sweet moments
- countryside setting in episode 1
- wish the realistic reaction at the end of episode 5 had happened when they first re-met
- production value
Room For Improvement
- Phu's actions (to me) aren't romantic, they are immature, selfish and extremely hurtful over the course of a looong (10 years) period of time, there is no apology he can make for ghosting his best friend for a decade, I find Phu unlikable and don't want them to end up together (but I'm sure they will)
- because of time jumps/flashbacks it felt choppy in beginning episodes
- I think people who haven't watched the prequels would be confused especially the university part
- I didn't find that workplace humor stuff funny including the caricature characters
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What happened to all the emotions from the prequel?
There are some differences between the series and mini-series, but the only major one is the change from Nan sending video messages to Phu to Nan now just sending emails. The rest of the story is pretty much the same, something that I was hoping for. There was some footage from the mini-series included, but most of the first episode was new footage, which is great as it shows that they weren’t being lazy about it. But at the same time, the whole meeting again scene was a bit of a letdown. I expected more from it in terms of emotions and reactions, it seemed very passive.I do have one complaint about the direction of the story. I was expecting something filled with emotions (I still got that), but there are quite a few comic situations that I am not really sure what to think about. I feel like they don’t necessarily fit in with the seriousness of everything. Many scenes seem so unrealistic, and I am not sure how to feel about it all – did it really happen like this? Seeing as this is based on a true story, I find it hard to judge the story as I might not like something or think it’s very unlikely to have happened, but at the same time, maybe it did, and I am just being too picky about it. Still, I don’t really think the whole comedy direction that the story is taking is the right one.
Things do take a bit more serious turn from the end of episode 5. I feel like we get to see both starting to struggle with Phu leaving and the possibility of him disappearing again. Especially Nan. I like how we get to see more of an emotional side of them in the second half of the series. I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with Phu’s confession scene, it felt incredibly out of character for him. And everything that followed felt extremely rushed. There was just too much that happened in a very short time. I feel like there is a lot of potential to expand the series to more parts, as all the complications that occurred so suddenly could definitely take more time develop and to solve.
I think Kun and Kiak who play Phupa and Fah Nan have great chemistry together. They both did an amazing job with their characters. They show a lot through their eyes, you could really tell a lot from the way they looked at one another.
I think Phu’s grandma rocks! She’s awesome and I am having a lot of fun watching her and her friends and their shenanigans. We all know how Tuk Tik got into that bathroom. There is no way of convincing me otherwise.
Nan’s co-workers are… all over the place, I guess. I do like GieGie, she is a bit eccentric, but it’s not overdone. I like how she handles Nan. And I absolutely love her dressing Nan to color match with her. Party is also very good at dealing with Nan, but he makes his feelings way too obvious. Sadly (or luckily), Nan is an idiot and can’t read between the lines. Or at least I thought so.
The location of the coffee plantation is absolutely stunning. I also really like the coffee shop and how Phu decorated it. All of the locations are really beautiful, to be honest. I like the differences between Phu’s and Nan’s apartments, I think they really show how the two are different from one another. Phu’s has many plants and a more cozy vibe, while Nan’s looks very professional and a bit cold.
The wait times for the episodes were a bit annoying. I don’t see why they took a month between airing the 5th and then the 6th episode. It makes even less sense why they took two weeks between airing the 9th and the final episode.
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GREAT STORYLINE AND CAST! FRIENDSHIP TURNED INTO LOVERS!
First of all Phu and Nun is so good and the chemistry is undeniable. On the other hand, Party, this guy...why always this guy is a minor character!!?? He got a lead role in one of the BL series i watched and i forgot the title because its forgettable (LOL), it;s because of the storyline and the characters around him. Boss is a great actor don't get me wrong! He has all the qualities of a good "TOP" (Lead), he's handsome, the charisma and oh my god the eyes and lips.... I just hope he will be in a better BL series where the story doesn't suck because a guy like him deserves much!Going back to Nan and Phu, i always love this kind of BL where friends turns into lovers kind of thing. I love where Phu is so reserved and concealed about his feelings just to protect Nun and their friendship. He's feelings for Nun is like a volcano that's ready to burst anytime (well they burst in episode 10....together....LOL).
I just can't understand why this series is so underrated if not ignored on social media, because I couldn't see anyone talking about this masterpiece.
I just wish they could've stretched it till episode 11 or 12 where Phu meets his mum and introduce Nun or something like that. Their wedding could've been a great additional episode.
I'VE HAD A FAIR SHARE OF BL DRAMAS AND THIS IN PARTICULAR IS GREAT! IT HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS THAT A BL SERIES SHOULD HAVE. FRIENDSHIP TURNED INTO LOVERS IS SOMEWHAT CLICHE IN ROM-COM BUT IF THE STORYLINE IS GOOD, IT WILL SURELY WORK. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND "THE PROMISE"!!!
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One mistake in the storyline
A good performed and directed BL show, with characters dislplayed quite well, but not a real development in them. Professional created never the less. AND not the Thai Bl typical "oh no kissing" or shouting "pervert" or such when it comes to body contact. And thankfully no anoying female character interfering ... This is not meant as antifeminist statement! ... But the end ... I have seen another VL with MH17 in as reason for the end of that relation ... I feared the same here ... But luckily NO! But why the hell got Nan later home than the anounced missed flight which got off later, despite being upgraded to an earlier flight? A later flight would be logic! And about the change of flight Gigi could/should/must have known ... or is/was Ken not communicatiing the change after the news about a desaster???That twist for drama in the end was useless and makes the the show less adorable and sorry less professional and logic. (Don´t tell me we need no logic in BLs) a propos drama ... why are Thai BLs or or Lakorns with seemingly no tears when the actors cry? I can´t remember seeing one actor sobbing and crying out their souls with tears ...
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Natural acting from the leads!
I may be a minority here. I will not comment on the story or direction or the plot. I will only focus on the acting of the two lead actors. They are quite good and they did their best effort considering the script and direction they got. Quite natural acting I must say. Look at Nan's eyes when he emotes. Listen to Phu's different nuances when he talks...The emotions were internalized and you can just feel them when they act even in a subtle manner.I wish more movies for these two good actors...
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Fun and loving series
The series is fun and has fluff and good drama and comedy. There is good chemistry among the cast and leads. You can feel the longing and love shared with Phu and Nan felt even after 10 he went missing. It's very light heart and does a good job telling the story and showing the development and growth. I am not too much a fan of Nan's other best friend Party always manipulates Phu to do favors for Nan and their job. The only real part that I really hated was the move to China, which was not needed especially when they just got together, that was messed up for the company especially when they know they were together. I felt that took away from the story and no needed drama. The ending was very surprising with the twist of development I will leave you to see that for yourself. I enjoyed this series very much was a sweet take on long last love and how even after 10 years will always find each other. Beautifully put together and I look forward to them coming together again.Was this review helpful to you?
How slow do you like your slow burn?
Think the slowest burn possible. (Well, maybe Aziraphale and Crowley are slower.) But the thing about a slow burn is there must be a continuous supply of heat, and I do think these actor brought a great deal of warmth to this couple.The settings and people are beautiful, and the simmering pain of being unable to ask for what you want is REAL. You can tell this is a cousin to KinnPorsche but with less crime and more coffee.
I'd have loved better pacing, some dramas could have moved quicker, and others slower. But for me, the payoffs were worth it.
There were some characters that were 2 dimensional and used poorly, but unlike so many BLs this had real space for some supporting cast. Grandma and her crew were perfection. And Where are all the awards for the kids playing the 11 year old Phu and Nan?
I can see there was an intention of a second season and I hope they come back to that idea.
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Too forced the finale…
I was really interested in the serie ar the beginning, but as some of you wrote, not much happened, or happened too slowly. But what most disappointed me was the finale…my goodness, going to China from Thailand is no reason for drama. There are planes, lime, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and of course, as said, planes. Also the situation created about the plane crash was really forced. We didn’t have the time to enjoy them as a couple. It seems unreal the end. I thought Nan was a ghost! Why don’t the writers, in those more matures BLs, write situations like prepare a wedding (wonderful in this series), the wish to adopt a child, matters that would be much more adult. Also, the side couples were barely solved at the end. Even Phu’s brother find the young guy.. Party, job…What happened to the farm…I felt frustrated. I am actually tired of the student bls, at universities. It would be nice to have sure young couples, but trying something better than untrust, people who want to destroy relationships and noisy people, like the end of the episode 9. I found the main actors gorgeous, but like Phu, I got tired of his slow motion, almost stoped. And Nan should have know why he disappeared and also the fact that Phu did the same university because of a promise to Nan’s father…things that would create better and not cheap feelings, with some drama of course. But I feel the situations created were sometimes incoherent and forced. I wouldn’t say to anybody not to watch the series, but I would like to see more BLs that give including more material for the legalization of same sex marriage in Thailand and other countries. There are already many good ones with more adult situations. This one failed for me… By the way, what I was referring before as bls with different content is like Papa & Dady, and I Told Sunset about you, among others.Was this review helpful to you?
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Made me feel good
Ok, I cannot gather my thoughts to write this review for last 10 days. So I will keep it very short. As short as I am capable of doing.If you are picky BL lover this might not be for you. The Promise is somewhat in between when it comes to the quality. It is not a masterpiece nor massive produced soapy romance, in my humble opinion. Even though it goes toward soapy dramas. I honestly expected tragedy because it starts with – inspired by actual events...hopefully this one is just as 99% of BLs, the one with the happy ending.
Originality: Well 6 .5/10 – childhood friends future lovers plot but it brought me some sense of warmth
Acting: It was fine by me, I loved the chemistry. Kissing was so-so, but the last scene of intimacy kinda looked good
Flaws: Unbalanced plot, some unimportant things were dragged and some were rushed but they needed more development
Conclusion: I do not believe it is waste of time, because I cannot remember when was the last time I was watching pilot episode (in this case two episodes) that hit me with that warm and fuzzy feeling. It made me wanting to watch it so bad. My review is not harsh, I am solemnly focused on my feelings. I enjoyed the mood, I did not enjoy the waiting (so I envy the bingers now).
Overall, I ended up loving this more than I thought I would. This is a decent watch and I possible re-watch some of the episodes but not sure just yet!
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Unexpectedly good
when i started watching this series, i wasn't expecting much to be honest. However, it was surprising good and got my attention from the 1st ten minutes and i got really excited.there were some scenes that made me laugh so loud. such as the slow motion school incident. it was hilarious.
it's just i wish that Fah had realized and confessed his love to Phu, i believe it would have been so much better and prettier this way.
there were 2 scenes that i felt it was laking more emotions. 1st, when they met again after 10 years, 2nd when Fah got bk to Thai after 1 year. it didn't really felt like they were surprised or excited or anything.
overall, nice series. good looking cast with great acting. give it a try
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What an unexpected nice surprise
I started to watch this without high expectations so in the end I was nicely surprised. I think as I get older I really appreciate when there is a bl with adult characters. These two were both stunning and they had amazing chemistry. Their visuals fit perfectly the story and loved the throwbacks. It kinda gives it more depth. The story wasn't really that original but I liked it anyway. Friends to lovers is a good plot if done well and these two definitely delivered it. I kinda wish there was more with these two cause I would definitely watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
A story about a guy who scratched and clawed his way from the friendzone.
Wheew, this was a journey. Nan had the guys on here fucked up. I wanted to punch Phu so much. I've never come across such stubborn men in my life!!! It took 30 years for these knuckleheads to figure their shit out.I enjoyed it though. It was funny, frustrating and heart warming. The secondary characters were also great especially GIGI, grandma and the cat.
Since this is based on a true story, I'm curious if the two brothers are really dating guys named Nan Fah. ??
Wish them all the happiness though.
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