boozles
Scotland
This review may contain spoilers
Wasted potential
I really wanted to like this. I wanted to ignore the reviews and just enjoy some of my favourite guys in a silly little series. I wanted to ignore the cheesy writing, the overacting and absurdity, because that's what we normally do with these type of shows and we love it. However, I just couldn't enjoy this.
The plot is cliche but a trope we all love: boy love boy next door, it takes forever for boy next door to realise his love, some drama happens, then happily ever after, right? Well, that's more or less what this show does, only the steps it takes to get there ruin the story.
First of all, Tonhon's obsession with MANLY MEN isn't only toxic as hell, but just weird? I get it's because of his dad, but there was just something unsettling. Forcing his friends to go to a brothel was obviously supposed to be comedic, but it really just came across as abusive. I know Ai/Ni were comic relief and the whole idea of Ton not realising they were gay was obviously meant to be funny, but it was just stupid, I personally think.
Then the whole thing with Amp and Neung was uncomfortable. The thing it, Amp convincing a boy who had been sexually assaulted by his own senior to repeat that behaviour to a junior is bad, but had it driven the plotline it would have been somewhat acceptable. However, it didn't; it was a throwaway moment to make Ton look possessive, but it didn't really - I'm pretty sure he would have reacted that way if it was any of his friends. Then there's the fact that Chon didn't seem to care much afterwards when he was sober. (I would like to ask why there's no punishment for sexual offenders in these shows, but then I remembered real life, and, well. Bleak.)
I didn't feel much chemistry between Khaotung and Pod, which was probably a result of Ton being such an unlikeble character.
I'm rather angry that every kiss between Ai/Ni was cut off. Top/Mike have AMAZING onscreen chemistry and I would love to see more of them. (I know there's Ai Long Nhai but the fact it's different cast kinda bugs me. I probably will watch the show at some point when this one isn't so fresh in my mind.) Even Ton/Chon's romantic scenes weren't very romantic. The very short kisses and hugs just felt...empty.
Pang and Miriam were absolutely fantastic and were probably my favourite characters, if I'm honest.
The pacing was very off for this series, if I'm honest. Like, one second Ton is homophobic and is horrified that Chon kissed him, but then he's suddenly like LOOK I LOVE THIS BOY OH ALSO BTW I'VE BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU SINCE I WAS A CHILD. It would have been a lot more acceptable as a viewer if we'd actually had a little bit of a process of seeing Ton have a moment of, "shit, I like this guy." Also, the final episode was like whiplash. Ton's dad is suddenly not homophobic if he can get a grandkid anyway? That was some toxic drama right there. Like, as soon as Ton is finished school he's going to be a dad (and Chon, too, who is like 3 years younger and probably still in school).
It's a shame because this show had potential. Even the problematic stuff could have been 'acceptable' had it been paced and edited a little better.
The plot is cliche but a trope we all love: boy love boy next door, it takes forever for boy next door to realise his love, some drama happens, then happily ever after, right? Well, that's more or less what this show does, only the steps it takes to get there ruin the story.
First of all, Tonhon's obsession with MANLY MEN isn't only toxic as hell, but just weird? I get it's because of his dad, but there was just something unsettling. Forcing his friends to go to a brothel was obviously supposed to be comedic, but it really just came across as abusive. I know Ai/Ni were comic relief and the whole idea of Ton not realising they were gay was obviously meant to be funny, but it was just stupid, I personally think.
Then the whole thing with Amp and Neung was uncomfortable. The thing it, Amp convincing a boy who had been sexually assaulted by his own senior to repeat that behaviour to a junior is bad, but had it driven the plotline it would have been somewhat acceptable. However, it didn't; it was a throwaway moment to make Ton look possessive, but it didn't really - I'm pretty sure he would have reacted that way if it was any of his friends. Then there's the fact that Chon didn't seem to care much afterwards when he was sober. (I would like to ask why there's no punishment for sexual offenders in these shows, but then I remembered real life, and, well. Bleak.)
I didn't feel much chemistry between Khaotung and Pod, which was probably a result of Ton being such an unlikeble character.
I'm rather angry that every kiss between Ai/Ni was cut off. Top/Mike have AMAZING onscreen chemistry and I would love to see more of them. (I know there's Ai Long Nhai but the fact it's different cast kinda bugs me. I probably will watch the show at some point when this one isn't so fresh in my mind.) Even Ton/Chon's romantic scenes weren't very romantic. The very short kisses and hugs just felt...empty.
Pang and Miriam were absolutely fantastic and were probably my favourite characters, if I'm honest.
The pacing was very off for this series, if I'm honest. Like, one second Ton is homophobic and is horrified that Chon kissed him, but then he's suddenly like LOOK I LOVE THIS BOY OH ALSO BTW I'VE BEEN IN LOVE WITH YOU SINCE I WAS A CHILD. It would have been a lot more acceptable as a viewer if we'd actually had a little bit of a process of seeing Ton have a moment of, "shit, I like this guy." Also, the final episode was like whiplash. Ton's dad is suddenly not homophobic if he can get a grandkid anyway? That was some toxic drama right there. Like, as soon as Ton is finished school he's going to be a dad (and Chon, too, who is like 3 years younger and probably still in school).
It's a shame because this show had potential. Even the problematic stuff could have been 'acceptable' had it been paced and edited a little better.
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