The Trainee (2024)

it was sold as an OffGun rom-com vehicle but it was really more like an ensemble office dramedy - a very good one and a very realistic one at that. For those expecting a romance show, maybe it will help if you lessen your expectations and just enjoy the ride.

This is not a show about love - It is an inspirational show about people looking to find their path in life.

I also wouldnt classify this as a BL show, its just a series with LGBT characters and their romace wasnt even the central idea of the entire show. With the current wave of office-themed BL dramas in the past few months, this one really stands out among them.

What sold me from the beginning is how realistic and how good the execution of the script in an office dynamics. As someone working in a creative office industry i have related so much with this series and keeps reminding me of how my office interaction always is.

And oh my god the sets - the production design of this series is top notch and i am inlove with almost all their sets. And for a show that is centered around a filming industry, they have indeed used their resources well - the cinematography and color grading is amazing.

What may be a bit disappointing for me (and maybe to some other OffGun fans) is the amount of Off-Gun (or the lack of) in this series - because everytime they left a cliffhanger it revolves around them - clearly selling this as an OffGun BL show and banking in OffGun fans to come back for another week. Clearly OffGun is just 2 out of the hundreds other cast in the show. Dont get me wrong, the main cast all did a good job, and of course as a BL fan seeing Sea and Poon added to the enjoyment of the series.

Do I need to mention that 5 long year of absence? Yes, It was left too open-ended to be desired but it kind of worked for me. Ryan and Jane met at a time when they were both in a crossroads and before the end of the series they decided to step back from the relationship and support each other to find what they really needed and wanted to do in life. Its a move of self-discovery. When they met again after 5 years, both are in a better place and hopefully their relationship can and will work better.

If you check the directors' previous works, both of them hasnt really worked on BL before so that should have been a clear indication of what the show is going for. Also since this is a dramedy - there were a lot of office issues introduced but glazed over lightly. I wouldnt blame them for that, theres only so much you can fit in 12 episodes and i think the aim is not to make it too heavy.

With that said, and setting aside my BL expectation - i would rate this show a very strong 9. Is it rewatcheable? Very much so. Would i recommend? Definitely.

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a coming of age ensemble series (not a BL series)

Overall: I re-watched the trailer to see if my expectations were way off but the trailer was narrated by Ryan and showed mostly Ryan/Jane moments. While I enjoyed the quirky humor, the misleading trailer and writing was disappointing. Aired on GMMTVs YouTube Channel, playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI7b0q-zvdbbziNCv5VNDufI&si=t5Xhss_rfPl3ybkE

Content Warning: sexual harassment

Watch Suggestions (I don't have the energy to go back thru the first 8 episodes, here are timings to focus on Jane & Ryan's romance)
- watch episode 9 part 4 7:45-end
- watch episode 10 part 1 beginning to the credits then 8-end
- watch episode 10 part 2 5:20-end
- watch episode 10 part 3 beginning to 1m 10s
- watch episode 10 part 4 8:30-end
- watch episode 11 part 2 beginning to 2:30
- watch episode 11 part 3 4:45-end
- watch episode 11 part 4 2:30-3:45 and 6:30-end
- watch episode 12 part 2
- watch episode 12 part 4 1min to 2:55 and 15:30-the end

What I Liked
- relatable main character (not knowing what he wanted to do in life)
- editing style, not sure how describe it, really vibrant colors
- laughed a few times
- informational bonus scenes at the end
- good that they touched on sexual harassment and I think this series passed the Bechdel test
- characters apologized

Room For Improvement
- misleading trailer
- pacing could have been tighter
- disappointed with a character/pair arc
- not all of the humor worked for me
- a character said "never ask me anything" and later said "if you don't know something ask me"
- Ryan was too incompetent such as not knowing how to silence or turn off his cell phone
- underwhelming/camera blocked kisses
- in episode 12 the time jump was totally not needed, technology exists, they didn't need to write a pair's relationship in that way

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Not a BL, NOT an OffGun series!

I feel terrible for OffGun! Going from being the stars of their own series to being relegated to just a side couple with a terrible story. I feel like GMMTV really did them dirty on this series. Instead of an OffGun BL, we get a Bahmee and Tae story with a little Ryan and Jane thrown in. What makes it worse, the BL side couple story is terrible! And I absolutely HATE shows that do a time skip at the end - "5 Years Later". Does anyone like when they do that? It's the laziest form of writing! This is why I ended up not liking "Last Twilight" because of the stupid time jump at the end.

The BL side story was terrible, and I wonder what show the other reviewers at MDL who liked the show were watching! [Spoilers from here on] There was no explanation as to why Jane even liked Ryan. He was a sniveling, clumsy, mistake-prone annoyance. I guess it was because he was cute?

Then, Jane lets Ryan's project get stolen and takes NO responsibility for it; he just disappears and doesn't even contact Ryan who needs an answer as to what happened. Ryan writes several times and Jane leaves him on read! Then, when he finally shows up a couple weeks later - even not coming to the goodbye party for the interns, he just ends their relationship without as much as a discussion with Ryan! He says he's going to Hong Kong for graduate school, and just leaves... and doesn't contact Ryan at all for 5 years. WHAT? When they meet together all that time later, they ask each other "Has anything changed?" and they get back together. There is really no story here, it's not sweet at all, and you literally don't want either couple to be together in the end. I can't remember a series where you are actively rooting against the couples! Bamee and Tae? Bamee cheats on Tae, and then at the end they take a picture with the girl she cheated with? So infuriating! I see a divorce in their future. And as far as Ryan and Jane - I just don't care. They didn't give me anything to care about, and how Jane treated Ryan, I want Ryan to find someone better.

GMMTV better not try again to get viewership for a series by lying and misrepresenting it as a BL by a major couple when it is not! They purposely tricked us to watch this show to get the views by trying to dangle a little OffGun in front of us. Look at the poster! Which couple is front and center? The real main couple of this series is huddled together in the back left! Read the explanation of the show - it's all about Ryan and Jane, although their story and screen time was pitiful. Rarely have I regretted watching a series - but I do this one.

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OffGun as Side-Characters In Their Own Drama

I’m so used to Thai characters having names like P’ Car Tyre and Nong’ Wheel Barrow that when Gun’s character said his name was Ryan, I choked on my wine. And don’t even get me started on Jane. Dafug you mean your name is Jane? Your people named you Janet? Come on son.

Also, Ryan’s lipgloss game was on point. Dude woke up every day looking like he’s ready to be kissed. Legit, who’s lips look like that at 06:00am in the morning? And his short-shorts!! Hahaha, though, if I had those legs, I’d show ‘em off too.

Listen, did anyone else almost went ‘OMG Khai is that you?' in the finale when Jane’s character literally ghosted Ryan after his ex-boyfriend stole his idea, then proceeded to ignore him five more years? Was everyone else back in their Theory of Love days and wanting Jane to be left at the train station? No? arite, imma see myself out.

First off. I watched this drama because of OffGun and Sea. And there was not enough of OffGun in this drama!! Literally they were supporting cast in their own drama, and it made their relationship come off as super slow burn, but I think it felt that way because we legit didn’t get enough screen time for them to develop any faster. Like, they might as well have been the side-dishes in that porridge Ryan wanted to be. Such a shame, cuz this is easily my fav drama from them.

Imho I think this is one of the best dramas that came out this year. No, no, hear me out. Yes, some episodes feels like fillers and unnecessary, there wasn’t anything major happening, and they spent waaay too much time on that love triangle nonsense. Plus, we’d all seen this sort of office dramas with a a side of love-story plot, so yeah, nothing different or even remarkable about it.

BUT, I loved it so much? Cuz it was all so darn relatable! I felt the whole intern life, trying to figure out your future, and being like Ryan, having literally no life goals whatever, and just going with the flow. So yeah, in that regard, I loved the drama, the rest of it however, in honesty, was subpar.

CHARACTERS:
Ryan was the most relatable character. Ryan is my spirit animal. I love that loser so much. Homeboy had no idea what was going on most of the time and I love him for it. Mfer just wanted to put paper in the printer and nod along, and that was amazing. But although he started off wanting to be just a normal co-worker who go out after work to enjoy food and drinks, his character grew. He didn’t have any objectives and had no idea what the work was even about, but he fought. Sure, he thought about quitting, but he stuck it out and keep trying and in the end he got stronger for it. And even ended up working in that industry, successfully I might add. I was very satisfied with his character arc and growth.

What I didn’t get about him though was how he was able to wait that five years, or even in those months he was ignored. Then just take Jane's sorry arse back, all adorable with their hands reaching and unicorns and stuff…pfft, people in love. Could never be me, my arse would have been married with kids and long forgotten him in those five years. But of course, he’s in love so… nonsense reality. Oh well, they were cute though, I legit liked how their relationship developed, with all those cute moments that made me all so giddy, so good for them that they ended up together, hopefully Jane doesn’t ghost him again for another five years.

JANE
Now how Jane acts like he hates air when he’s at work, but lives like that one middle-age woman who makes a wish every time the same numbers appears on a clock? Also like, do people still use dvd players? where do you even buy those? My Muse by Jimin CD’s just arrived, and I went ‘These would make for nice bookshelf decorations’ cuz I have no idea where to play it.

Anyway, Jane almost made me go back to my Khai hating days with all the yelling and making Ryan cry that he did. But I didn’t, cuz I understood how these workplace could be, and Ryan putting himself there when he knew nothing about it couldn’t have gone any better, so yeah I understood.

But arrgggg, did I just want him to act like a grow up and just admit his feelings for Ryan. But again, I understood he’s his boss, and he couldn't just straight up admit stuff (side eyeing Judy real hard now). But then, after I gave him the benefit of the doubt, he straight up disappointed me. He didn’t even fought to get Ryan’s rightful credit for him, just went and told the ex he’s disappointed then proceeded to ignore Ryan. Then ghosted him for five years, talking about ‘I’d have come back for you if I didn’t ignore your existence and pretended you didn’t exist.’ Bish, is you allergic to planes? Couldn’t you have taking one back to wherever you went, after coming to see him?

Sure, sure I was all grinning and went, awww cute when he said he wanted black coffee with no sugar as his mood and tone, and when their hands slowly got closer, and when Ryan wanted more kisses and he was like 'enough don't be greedy for my tasteful lips,' but eff that guy, always going for the silent treatment is not cool. But, I guess, he’s a bit, just a tiny bit better than Khai, so I guess, he’s okay-ish, and I’m glad he followed his dream and became a director. So, clap for him, I guess?

Also, like, am I the only person who felt like Jo, that company owner, always gave Jane backhanded comments, which was why he was always felt like he was in his shadow? Literally, nothing he said to him in the flashback made me think, ‘Oh Jo means well, he wants him to be bolder and more assertive.’ Literally, P’Jo came off as those mentors who sniffed out talents and oppressed them cuz they afraid the student would outshine them. Then of course the writers in the finale wanted me to believe he meant well. It might just be me though, but that’s how he came off when it came to Jane. To the others, he was so encouraging and helpful to them.

Plus, at the end of the day, none of the old people stayed to work in the company… soo… But, it might just be me who perceived it that way, but yeah, stuff.

Anyway, I’m okay with Jane, but also hate his disappearing act. Mfer out there acting like Houdini every two-to-three-business days. arrrg, pick a personality air-breather!

Side- characters:
They were a good audition, in small doses, but there was entire too much time on them. Though, I wanted to know more about Pie and Pah, but I guess, they needed that time for that dragged-out love triangle no one asked for. Literally how many times did we need to see Ba-Mhee looking sadly at the camera for being ignored? Also, is it just me of somewhere in the middle it felt like the rest of the interns bonded more with each other than with Ryan? Felt like they did a lot of things without him at some point. Oh well, either way, I loved them together and how they kept their friendship years later.

PLOT
Listen, if you are going to wait until the second to last episode to give us the backstory of the main character, then why bother?
This was literally Jane throughout the series.

JANE: Me big alpha with a blowhorn, 'You, bring me the call sheet!' RYAN. You, cameraman, did I tell you, you can blink? RYAN! Your existence is a shame to the this company and your ancestors, go sit in a corner and think about wasting air. RYAAN! Arite, I'm sorry I call you a waste of space, here, let me tie your shoelaces. RYAAAN!'
COWORKERS: Damn, he's so harsh, but so confident and good at his work, cuz all the clients wants him, and we respect him but fear him.
VIEWERS: He's such a hardball, damn, that's one confident dude he's good at his work.
WRITERS: *in episode 11* actually, he's an insecure loser who can't stand that his first pitch wasn't pitched, and is secretly so insecure that he'd given up his dream and cower in the corner and live in the shadow of Jo who we have not seen direct anything once. So yeah, poor dude, he's so sad.
ME: *Bombastic side-eye* stupid.

So yeah, throughout the series , Jane was this confident dude who yelled a lot but secretly was nice, and lived like he was born in the wrong century. Then suddenly, he’s his shy, insecure loser who lost out in a pitch one time and never got over it. If you’d told me this in the beginning, and showed me this insecure side, I would have believed you, but in episode 11, it felt like they suddenly remembered he’s supposed to be the main character and gave him that plot just so he can have more screen time. It was unnecessary in my opinion and served no purpose other than to have Jane pull a Houdini and ghost Ryan like a bat-shit crazy ex.

A lot of people will find this drama boring, and I would too if I didn’t relate to it. It’s understandable, there was a lot of scenes with them actually doing their work, which many would have loved to skip or for them to gross over, but I enjoyed it, so for me, the plot was good, to get to see second-hand how the behind of this industry worked. This was the in-depth scenes I wanted to see from SunsetxVibes with their jewellry company that I didn’t get to see, so I was happy for this.

However, that LOVE-TRIANGLE, was super effing unnecessary, given how it ended! Literally what was the point of side-lining the leads to give room for those three and their boring arse story? At first, I was like, oooh, developing feelings for your mentor and are we getting a gl couple… ohhhh. I was invested, then they flat-out went the cheating way, and I was like, hell no, first of you’re a mentor and shouldn’t be doing that, second damn girl, talk to your boyfriend, sure he’s a man-child you baby but tell him you need more attention don’t cheat.

And I understand, having a boyfriend who regards you as a second thought is not fun, but cheating, was a no no. Not gonna lie though, I cheered and clapped a bit when Ba-Mhee left Tae for Judy. I was like. Arite, now that that’s over, where the doctor at? Someone call P’Mhok, let him know Day drunk the straight people juice. LMAO, yes I felt bad for Tae, when he was crying and sniffing, but deep down, I crossed my fingers for Jimmy to show up and Sea going ’Shiiii, P’Mhok, you are here. Let’s go home and eat?’ That would have been amazing. Yes, yes, I am delulu and still living in my Last Twilight high, leave me alone.

Instead, we didn’t get any of that. Judy pretended none of the blame was on her at all, Pah became too protective, good friend but annoying as eff even when he meant well, Tae mopped for a bit, decided to let Ba-Mhee go and take the blame for himself, only for them to got back together. Then dafug was all that runaround for? Wasting unnecessary screen time on them, when we could have had more Ryan and Jane.

I’m literally not surprised they were fighting again in the finale cuz of jealousy, like what did they think was gonna happen, imo trust gets lost when one person cheats in a relationship, so good luck to them and they wedding I guess. Can’t believe they got a good ending, and all we got from JaneRyan was sns messages telling us they’ve decided to move in together. meh.

All in all, I loved the series cuz I related to Ryan, but I wish there was more screen time for the leads, and it wasn't taking away by the childish love triangle that went nowhere. Would have loved to see more of Ryan and his family, how he finally decided on his dream, or how Jane got his confident back, although I still think he wasn’t lurking one to begin with. Would have loved a lot of things instead of the five year jump, but, this is what I got, and I’m sort of okay with it, since it actually concluded and didn’t leave us guessing.

So yeah, I wanna recommend this to all OffGun fans, but be aware they are more a second lead…so… I’ll recommend this to people who love office romance too, there were a lot of cute arse moments with Ryan and Jane that made me grin like an idiot. This is definitely going on my most fav dramas this year along with Unknown, My Stand-In, Meet You At The Blossom, Century of Love and 4minutes.

Anyway, don’t forget to lip-gloss like Ryan, winter is coming.

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Much better as "Cooking Crush" but still wasted potential and not a real BL

The lazy writing is a trend 2024. Conflicts will be resolved in matters of minutes, the story is "safe" without much of controversy or social critisim, I am still not a fan of the Thai version of romcon, especially episode 4 was soooooo over the top I was barely able to watch it.
The story also lacks of a real BL story, they meet in passing, they get in love in passing, the have two episodes to get closer but with many misunderstands inbetween (because there must be drama) and then Jane left for five years. I find it a bit unrealistic that someone leaves, does not contact his love interest in that time and then everything goes back as it was before when Jane returns, Because the writing is lazy they have also a hetero couple, where they injected drama by making the girl lesbian for an episode. One episode and one meal later, everything is as it was before but the male part is more considerate now. Think what would have happend if they taked about their feelings and grievances before, we would have four episodes less!

We had worse shows this years, but to rate this show with a 10 is beyond me. It's just a safe bet for GMMTV to produce something tame without any really interesting story plots. When I compare this to "Not me" nobody can tell me that this show is in any way better or deserving a 10. So the fangirl overrating continues and it's one more reason why lazy writing prevails. This show could have been so much more, but it isn't, I am not even disappointed because I do not expect anything anymore from GMMTV.

Overall the story is shallow, the acting is good, the overacting is cringe, there are some truly funny moments, there is a lack of fluff but the series is at least not boring. It's an ok show with too less BL and too much time spend on the hetero couple to call it a BL.

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Almost Good

I LOVE OffGun. I think they're a fantastic pairing and I will watch pretty much anything they're in. However, I was honestly disappointed with the Trainee. This show took so long to get good, and just when you think there's going to be developments in their relationship, you get nothing but crumbs. Additionally, the side couple had the worst trajectory I've ever seen in terms of relationship development, and overall it left much to be desired.

Ryan (Gun) is finishing college and in need of an internship. When there's an interview mix-up, he ends up interviewing for the directing team at a production company where he meets Jane (Off). Somehow, he gets the job - and hates it. Jane is extremely strict with high expectations of Ryan, who has never worked a day in production. Jane is frequently yelling at Ryan, to a point of Ryan being in tears. However, slowly the two of them start to understand each other more, and Ryan soon realizes he's developing feelings for Jane, though Jane remains guarded. You also have Tae (Sea) and Ba-mhee (Piploy) who seem to have a failing relationship, as Tae never has time for her. But as Ba-mhee starts spending more time with her mentor Judy (Kapook), she realizes what it's like to have someone take care of you.

The relationship between Ryan and Jane was SO SLOW. Not your typical slow-burn slow, but slower. I wish they would have condensed the first 10 episodes into about 6. There's just so much potential for that relationship dynamic - sneaking around the office because the relationship has to be a secret, the repercussions of a mentor dating his intern, the backlash they could face, etc. Instead, we get none of that, and instead are left with the same issue for the entire show: Ryan likes Jane, and Jane won't tell Ryan how he feels. There's so little time for them to be happy that the show feels incomplete. I think if I didn't watch this weekly I would have liked it more, but it was just frustrating to watch most weeks.

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The Trainee : Needed more attention and less mess!

I had high expectations with this drama but perhaps that was a mistake.
Honestly, this drama was a mixed bag for me. I wanted to enjoy it, but the questionable character developments didn't quite work for me.

The first half was carried out by the friendship between the interns and them adjusting to the office culture with their respective mentors. That was the highlight for me. Those office struggles, the mishaps due to nervousness and the mistakes felt so relatable. The genuine challenges of starting a new job and those moments of vulnerability and growth were showcased very appropriately and with humour.
But the second half failed to carry that momentum.

Ryan and Jane had great chemistry and moreover, a good mentor-mentee relationship where they openly voiced their concerns about each other and their work. However, the last 2 episodes felt like a very dramatic shift, where we were seeing different characters. The sudden time jump in their relationship felt completely unnecessary. Jane, who had been portrayed as a tough but responsible mentor with clear communication, vanished into thin air without any proper explanation. It felt abrupt and so out of character. Also, their screen time as the main couple felt minimal. I wanted them together to see how they would handle their relationship after Ryan's internship was over but all I got was an inconsistent romance with ambiguous decisions.

Coming to other characters, the holy trinity: Tae, Ba-Mhee and Judy.
I struggled to understand the dynamics between them until the very end. I am so confused as to why the cheating storyline was introduced. There are plenty of other ways to make Tae realise his flaws as a boyfriend and the need for communication and Ba-Mhee to figure out to obsess less over someone. Judy as a mentor, was such a problematic character for me. She was wrong on so many levels and I was frustrated that she wasn't held responsible for her actions. The series might have worked out better for me without them. Pah and Pie were fun to watch but they couldn't quite make up for the issues I had with the rest of the drama.

Overall, what started as an engaging good office drama fell apart by abrupt shifts in character development and unnecessary plot twists.
7.3/10

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So much potential

The series doesn't have 1 main couple and a side couple, it has two main couple. Ryan jane screentime is less than expected bahmee judy tae thing is so frustrating, justifies cheating, bahmee ends up with tae(so pathetic). Their redemption is eating dinner together in 1 epi ,and everything goes back to normal ways(their relationship is fixed).pie is one of my fav character but she also has less screen time. I am angry at plot bcz in the trailer they showed it like this series mainly focus on ryan but it is a lie. If you think it is the trainees instead of the trainee it's somewhat alright(except for cheating and getting back together).

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I was left disappointed

first of all, I started this because I wanted to watch a BL and OffGun… but in both, it was disappointing for me. It was not BL focus, which I wasn’t expecting. I wish I knew before starting, maybe I wouldn’t have been left disappointed

I will keep it short, not motivated to write a review right now

I really liked the first few eps, I thought it was funny and we were getting to know the characters. My rating was like 8,5-9 at some point

what I liked :
- the friendship
- seeing the development of the trainee at work to at the end becoming mentors to their own trainees. even if we didn’t get much with Ryan character I think
- the comedy, had some good funny moments
- I absolutely loved Off character (minus maybe for the last ep a bit) and he looked so good here
- the acting was decent
- I also liked Pah and Pie, Baimon too actually
- chemistry, the few good scenes we got of Jane and Ryan
- Ryan after work

what went wrong for me :
- Bah-Mhee was mostly unlikable
- The hole plot with Tae and Ba-Mhee / Tae, Ba-Mhee and Judy : that was really uninteresting to me and it took to much screentime. It really felt more like a straight couple story with a side BL couple. And how it’s all turned out… how their relationship was, the cheating, them getting back together… couldn’t care less. Annoying that they got a better and longer ending
- Feel like the relationship between Jane and Ryan wasn’t written, development well. We really didn’t see enough of them and the development of their story. And what was that stupid time jump at the end, it was also 5 years… that’s a lot! and they just got back together just like that as if nothing happened and the love is still there as if they never separated? We almost got nothing of them dating and they get back together in the last part of the last ep… didn’t get a proper scene or dialogue either

I watched 4 BL with OffGun, sadly my least favorite unfortunately. Many people said Cooking Crush was bad and boring, but I think it was much better

I guess I could still recommend even with the plot kinda weak, lacking of BL,…. It was still funny.

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