Thai BL Dramas

Speaker 1 0:00

You know I have a love-hate relationship with Thai DL series and this is because they always seem to struggle in some way , be it in the acting of the cast or the writing by the screenwriter . They always seem to struggle to produce something good . And so when I'm watching Thai dramas , I kind of watch with one eye closed and accept that . You know . Know , they have yet to get their bearing when it comes to like tv production . Um , like other asian countries like , say , japan or korea , right , um , who I feel like excel when it comes to like storytelling and tv production , thailand has just not got to that point where I'm comfortable saying that like they are good , right , I can say , for , like most korean dramas , even if the story is nonsense , you know that you're still getting something good quality . Same with like japan , right , I feel like tainan is a relatively newer market and they are just moving away from those like um really badly written , badly produced dramas because , I mean , now you know there's money going into it , there's netflix , there's all this like actual , like corporations coming in and like funding their projects , so they're getting better . But normally I would say that it's a very like shaky relationship I have with high dramas and I kind of just I have come to be okay with that , um , because I just I want to consume , you know , tv as much as possible . That's just one of my interests , right , um . But you know , once in a while a gem will appear , right , a gem that is like no other will appear . And I would say that last year , for me , that was , um , the drama my Sherry and More . I remember watching that drama and being like this is superb , like this is a very , very good drama and it's a Thai lakon , right , it's a straight straight drama and you know , it was one of my , I would say , best from Thailand and it was just so well done , right . And so , you know , this year I feel like that um gem is tempo , right , um , I have watched about seven episodes of the 13 , which is all that's aired , and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised , like this has been a huge surprise for me because , like I said , like I watch ty bails , almost expecting there to be some issue with the production at some point , right , be it bad acting , which I've gotten used to , or like bad script , or bad directing , right , there's always something up , right . So , when I watched the first episode of Tempo and it was this good . I was floored and also thankful , like you guys understand how thankful I am that it was well done . Right , I was just so amazed , right , I want to say Tem , tempo is god level , right , when it comes to vl dramas , and it's funny I'm saying that I know it's really funny because I've only watched seven episodes . It's not even finished airing , but I will jump the gun here . Um , I feel like this is a good example of a drama where a lot of things you know could go wrong , but it doesn't , and that just makes it fantastic . Right , this drama is going so well , right , and honestly , I , I am just like I'm in awe and I , I just love it so much .

Speaker 1 3:13

I will say that when I first heard about the drama production for this , I kind of brushed it aside . Right , the main actors are william and s . They're not really familiar to me , right , they're not from any other drama that I can really name , and so I wasn't particularly going to check out this drama , and I hate to say it , but the fact that I was coming from GMM TV , which I also have a love-hate relationship with , does not help , right , and so from the get-go , you know , I just I was like you know I'm not really gonna check this out , but you know , I just I was like you know I'm not really gonna check this out , but you know , once in a while you're bored , you don't have time to watch , you watch everything else . And so I was like let me try this out . And oh , do they bring it ? Do these two boys bring it ? Like I have to give props , especially to William , because I think he's actually starting to make it Like he's acting in the first two episodes is why I decided to continue watching this drama , right , like he's so good for a kid that has never acted before . So I am just I am impressed and I just love his acting . But we'll get into that later .

Speaker 1 4:21

I want to ask Eta Kala the drama and what makes it shine . I will say that I think that the strength of this drama is in its simplicity , right ? Um , it doesn't try to do too much , despite having a kind of ensemble cast . Um . Just give a summary about this drama . Paul um , our main character gets a job as a videographer in charge of recording mars , right , which is this boy group , right that is on verge of being disbanded because their leader , um tame , is moving to korea um to start his career or to restart his career , right . But as pope begins kind of this documentary on these boys and as he gets to know tame , he realizes that tame actually loves his group members more than he lets on and a lot of the things he's doing , like the actions he's taking um , is because he thinks , right , tame thinks that this is what is best for them , right , and so paul , giving out sensitive of his soul he is , he thinks that , you know , this relationship can be mended and kind of works um with tame to do so , right . So that's just the idea of the story . It's very simple and I really like it , right . I like that the story hasn't deviated from this .

Speaker 1 5:30

The core of the story is the friendship between the band members , um with tame kind of as their glue , and poe being tame's emotional support , right . That's basically the story of this , right ? Um , when poe first meets tame , time is like this like injured animal who you know , you know how , like they are injured animals that you know will bite back at you because they are scared , really right , they are kind of like fearful about what you're gonna do kind of thing , right , they are just like jaded , yeah , you know that kind of behavior , right . Tame is kind of like that . He is somebody who won't express his feelings , um , and so that was how he appeared to poe at first , right . But if there's something to take from the cringy interview that poe does in like the first scenes in this drama , is that poe is all about oversharing , he's all about talking about his feelings , right , and so I think that's why , to an extent , he's able to get Tame to open up to him , right , and it's from that that Tame starts to confide in Poe , and it is from there that they start to develop feelings for one another , right , and so that is kind of the basis for this story , right , tame wants to mend his group , and Poe is there kind of to support him and to show him that . You know , communication is important , and so that is that's just basically what the story is about . But it's just so well done in the way they do it . It's just touching . It's simple but very like thought provoking in a way , right . So that's basically the story , right . Like thought-provoking in a way , right . So that's basically the story , right .

Speaker 1 7:06

One thing that makes this drama superb . When it comes to like this idea of their feelings and how , you know , tim and poe kind of develop , is that I find them to be very different from other type bl drama couples . Right , in that the characters in tim poe right , tim and poe don't feel the need to spell out everything . Right , they're a kind of show-don't-tell couple , right ? I feel like very often in BL dramas , no matter how interesting a character is , no matter how complex their relationship is , where they're coming from , what they've been through , one character will still feel the need to ask this question and that question is can you be my boyfriend or some variation of that ? And this thing , it grates my nerves .

Speaker 1 7:54

Right , this happened in jack and joker and I found it very odd because I felt like it was very clear , right , that jack and joker only had eyes for one another . Right , like it felt almost juvenile , right , given that one of them is a world-class scammer and the other one is a gang member . Right , like it had a very like , do you want to go study with me ? Um , vibe to it . That I really , really disliked , right , uh , other shows kind of do this as , um , the other show I was watching recently , forever , you does this , even though the two couples , he and her , almost had sex when they were like younger like you know what I mean . Like it makes no sense that at this point you will be doubting , kind of like , your relationship right , feeling the need to explicitly mention that your boyfriend right , just does not seem mature to me and it just feels odd .

Speaker 1 8:44

I don't know why I feel that way about this particular thing , but it's , it's just like a little , uh , right , and so that's why I like tame and poe , because they are so different . Because , honestly , it's very obvious , it's so , so obvious that tame and poe are into each other , right , like it's obvious to the members of tame's band and it's also obvious to both tame and poe . Like poe knows , he knows that tame likes him , right , in fact , poe is so good at reading situations that anytime june tries to gaslight him into thinking that tame doesn't really like him , he rejects the idea . Right , this is an adult like . This is what I mean , right ? This is someone who understands non-verbal cues , right , and I just I love that . I love that he wrote him like that , because why else would someone stay on the phone with you for the whole night if he didn't like you , right . Like if he wasn't into you , like nice , try , june , though , but like you didn't get what I mean . Um , and so I just like that , they naturally fell in love . And they recognize that they fell in love , even though it's not necessarily like that you know they are dating or anything , but they recognize that they mean something to one another , right .

Speaker 1 9:55

One of the most interesting scenes , just talking about this , is the scene where so you know how Per and Gam right , per being Thames' group member , gets discovered by the boys , right , that he's dating gam right , and pear talks about the fact that this is a problem , given the fact that they're in a band . Right , because , again , people expect these people not to date , right , expect them to be single and to be giving fan service for the duration of their career , right . And so pear makes a point that , like , this is going to be a problem and that's why he wants to be off the band . Right , and it's , you know tame ruminating about this that he goes to poe in the tailor shop and , like he's kind of determined to mention the fact that they can't really be together , right , well , before tame even says anything , poe kind of senses what he's about to say and starts crying , like he sheds a tear which kind of causes tame to like freeze up and , oh my god , like that scene is just is amazing , because it's a lot , like a lot was said , like without the characters even saying anything . It's the way like poe instantly knew the relationship like might be ending right , and that made him cry because , again , poe is such a sensitive , soft being , um , and it's also how tame soldered and couldn't continue on like saying what he wanted to say .

Analyzing Acting and Relationship Dynamics

Speaker 1 11:18

I just I find that so amazing , like so well done , like props to the screenwriter , props to the director and the two actors , like it's so phenomenal , right . If you guys don't get it , I just I don't know . I just find their relationship so organic . Like one thing I liked too is the basis of why , like Tame let him in so quickly , right . I also like the fact that he recognizes that Poe is kind of a sensitive character and that like Poe thinks a lot and you know so he's always trying to make sure like poe is not overthinking stuff , like poe is not thinking negative stuff , especially about their relationship , right , and I mean before episode six , right , tame still hadn't really confirmed his feelings for poe , right , but even then , right from episode like two to five or even some parts of six , right , you see that this did not stop him from being extremely attentive towards Poe , right , um , he's just a genuine person .

Speaker 1 12:31

I feel like him is , um , and I think that that's why he's , like group members also really love him and respect him so much . Right , I just have to say , like , william does an amazing , amazing job , right , showcasing all this . That's that's what I mean . Like , I just find myself in awe of him , in awe of his acting . He's very , very good at training micro expressions , right , like you know when he's happy , you know when he's sad , you know when he's conflicted , because the actor william is able to showcase all that , right , um , and I feel like that's just real talent , right , that's not something you can really teach someone , right , some who just got it , they got it , and like they are just good at acting . Um , and yeah , like he just like struck me as being very , very good , given especially that this is his first time acting , right , uh , I'm kind of like , I mean , I'm a new fan of his . Like , I'm a new fan of his , I'm an actual fan of his .

Speaker 1 13:25

Now , s does well as well and he's , you know , fantastic . He doesn't take me out of the story , which is very important , right , but I do feel that , like William is one that shines because I feel like is acting needed to be better , given that he's , I feel like , in scenes that is more poignant , like he's in scenes that is more , you know , intense , as opposed to like I feel like s is on the softer side of acting , right , it's s is kind of acting po , who is like this soft character , um , and is in a romantic kind of world , whereas I feel feel like William is acting temu , he's battling owners , like their label , and he's , you know , trying to get his friends together and you know all these like different , different variety of scenes , right . So I just I just find him so amazing and especially given that he's a singer first , right , that's just like wow , right . So , yeah , I will give him props for that . Another aspect I will say that I love about this drama um is mars and you know , talking about the boys , the friendship dynamics , right , like the mini team decided that he's bringing the band back together , right .

Speaker 1 14:38

Each episode has kind of been focused on a different member and their own individual personal struggle , which I feel like is a good way to get you rooting for everyone , especially when they finally succeed in what they are doing . Right , like you feel like you know them because you've seen their journey and their story . Right , and so I just really like that . I like the fact that Mars is actually a real group in real life , and so I think that they have very good chemistry one and genuinely seem like friends , which makes for a great watch , right , and yeah , now that the boys are back together , though , right , I feel like they still have one last obstacle , right , and that is their label company , because I just feel like it's this lady wants to jeopardize them so badly , right , and I don't really know what the reason is .

Speaker 1 15:22

I think that the bottom line is money , but still it's just all out . She's like willing , like she wants to destroy them so bad , right , and it's interesting to me that , like it's like she's the only bad person in this company , right , I feel like , um , sammy and drake's character are also good people . A lot of the like staff in the company are good people . It's just that , like their head is such a terrible person that like it's gonna be interesting , right , and I feel like most likely the next arc , or majority of the story in fact , going forward , is going to be figuring out how they , you know , tackle their label . You know , and also you know how we kind of just also watch Tame and and pro get closer .

Speaker 1 16:05

I do say I'm worried about like their relationship coming out down the line , but I feel like they can handle it like I feel like they have the emotional maturity to handle this well . I feel like they recognize that you know this is possible , that it would happen , um , and so , yeah , I I do feel like it's gonna , it's still gonna end up good , right , um , they have good emotional support behind them . I feel like you know it's gonna be okay , right , and guys , honestly , I am , I'm so excited because I can't wait like I feel like I will die when they finally kiss and just , you know , just become intimate , because I feel like , first of all , tame has been wanting to be intimate with poe since , like episode two . Right , he's always staring at poe with like those eyes and it's guys killing me . Like their chemistry is off the charts , right , like I don't know there's something about you know how these two people just interact , that you just know , they really enjoy each other's company , right , that's one thing .

Speaker 1 17:06

I will say that , like , the characters like tame and poe just really enjoy each other's company and that's kind of why they are so close , that's kind of why they are falling in love , right , they just get along so well and they understand each other so well . They want to like be nice to the other person , they want to like make the other person happy and that's just , oh , that's beautiful . That's just like classic romance . That's classic , simple romance that a lot of like dramas miss out on doing . Like this is kind of what I want to see . I just want the mundane . I want them to walk back and forth from their place like five times in one night , right , I , just that's what I want .

Speaker 1 17:42

I want want to see cheesy but like just sweet and cute , like romance , right , that makes you believe that this is actually real , right , that makes you believe that these people actually are into one another , right , and this , this drama is delivering , this drama is giving , and I just I love it so much . Oh , my God , okay , okay , honestly , and I just I love it so much . Oh my god , okay , okay , um , honestly , I will stop now , um , because honestly , I could keep going , um , but I will , I will stop now , right , but yeah , I , I just I can't wait for the rest of the episodes . It's , it's a real shame . I feel like that . You know , ty bs only release once a week , uh , because honestly , it's been torture , but I , I am willing to be tortured for this , right . But yeah , anyways , that's really all I have for this episode .

Speaker 1 18:30

Um , I really enjoy making this review and I hope you guys are also watching this drama . You should . It's really , really good . If you're gonna watch one type bl this year , it should be this one . Again . I know it's early in the year for me to be saying this and I feel like I do this every year , where I like pick one bl and be like this is the best year for the year and it's january , but seriously , I think that if you're gonna watch one , this is gonna be a good one . I hope , hope to god they don't butcher this at the end , right , because that does happen . They just like fall off . I don't know why , but I hope to god that this keeps being amazing because if it does like , this is going on my top 10 list of , like , favorite videos of all time . Um , but yeah , that is really all for this episode now , um , I thank you guys so much for listening , as always , and , yeah , I hope you guys have a lovely , lovely week . I'll see you guys again next week . Bye .