Call It What You Want (2021)

I'm Calling It Brilliant

Wow wow wow, I was *not* expecting to enjoy this drama as much as I did! Is it perfect? No. But is it superior to a lot of the BL we've been given lately? Very much so. (IMO of course). If it weren't for a few technical issues (questionable green screen, music too loud in some parts, voices too low in others) I probably would have given this a 9 instead of an 8.5*. At any rate, I think it should be rated much higher than the 7.3 it currently has (as of writing this review) and am disappointed to see such a low score.

*You know what? Screw it. I'm giving this a 9. Technical difficulties be damned! It's been a while since I've gushed this much over a BL drama and characters, and I've been so underwhelmed by the releases in this genre lately, so a 9 it shall be!

STORY:
This gave me "the BL industry is high-key problematic" in ways that Lovely Writer (exploring similar themes) did not. I don't want to put LW down, because that drama certainly has its merits, but I really appreciated the overall more realistic, less exaggerated tone that Call It What You Want took, as well as a different branch of the issues these actors may face in this world. It’s no secret that this drama was inspired by real events, and I felt that realness.

I also just enjoyed the unique setting in which this story took place. Much of the story focuses on external toxicity, namely power imbalances and control of actors (and apparently directors!) by the producers/talent agencies (not sure who the antagonist was representing). But we also see a glimpse of the internal, more private struggles that some actors face through the telling of Bas's story. And just when you think this story can’t possibly pull you in any further, bam! They hit you with the plot twist and you’re all up in a different type of feels. The serious topics here are not portrayed in a manner that’s contrite or—and I cannot emphasize this enough—cringey and melodramatic (I’m looking at you opening scene of UWMA). And because of that I remain fully engaged in the story and believe everything I’m told without rolling my eyes. Kudos to the writing, acting, and directing for accomplishing that.

Finally, although the episodes were limited in both number and length, the story felt whole, with very little of what I consider to be filler and fluff. Had I not known a Season 2 was coming, I likely would have felt robbed of both a burgeoning romance between certain characters and further explanation and resolution a very significant plot point. But since we are getting a sequel (hopefully soon!), I’m satisfied with what the director gave us in Season 1. If viewed as the first half of a longer series, I think Call It What You Want was fairly strong in pacing, character and plot development, and setting the stage for what's to come.

ACTING/CAST/CHARACTERS:
Ladies and gentlemen, this--THIS--is how you do romantic tension and chemistry between your two leads. I went in expecting James to be the creepy predator based on the synopsis but was oh so pleasantly surprised to see how sweet and soft he was. Ait--who gave him permission to be that cute!? He had my heart from the very first episode with his bold yet coy flirtations, and I want nothing more than to protect this little marshmallow fluff at all costs. The sweet, shy smiles and secret glances, the tenderness with which they look at and speak to one another--be still my fluttering heart.

I know I’m giving a lot of love to James and Ait (let’s just face it: they’re a huge part of why I love this drama) but I’ve got to give props to my man Michael in his portrayal of Bas. He wasn’t on screen as often as the others, but when he was—nothing short of impressive. Throughout the series, he gave us a mix of lovable nonchalance and worrisome solemnness, and boy did he really shine in the final episode.

Several of the actors here appear (based on their MDL page credits) to be newer to acting, but they delivered lines and conveyed emotions like veterans in the field. Other than a few longer-than-necessary pauses between dialogue in the first couple of episodes, the interactions felt natural and organic. Overall, really great job in selecting the cast for this.

OVERALL:
Ummm 100% recommend. No hesitation. This drama gave me sweet, sweet romance. It gave me substance and plot twists (well, one really big twist). And it gave me solid acting and writing and interesting characters. I was fully invested from beginning to end, and I am now oh so eagerly awaiting Season 2.

Leia Mais

sarsıcı bir hikâye. cinsel şiddet travması olanların izleyip izlememek konusunda dikkatli düşünmelerini öneririm. bu dizi yüzünden yeniden yaşadığım travmalarımın uykumu kaçırmasını beklemiyordum, bas karakterini gerçekten kendimi yakın bu kadar yakın hissetmemle alakalı muhtemelen.
her neyse.
bl endüstrisini gündemleştirmeleri açısından "lovely writer" ile ortaklaşması bir yana bu iki dizi birbirinden oldukça farklı. "lovely writer" daha dünyaya pembe gözlüklerle bakan bir dizi, mesela oradaki sorun cinsel şiddet değil. Bunun yanı sıra "call it what you want"ta prodüktörlerin oyuncuların hayatında daha fazla kontrol sahibi olduğu da görülecektir. Zaten ilkinde daha komedi unsurları yoğunken ikincisinde dram daha baskın. Dolayısıyla ikincisinin eleştirel yönü daha kuvvetli demek de bence yanlış olmayacaktır.
hikâye gerçekten derinlikli ve çok boyutlu. çerezlik bir dizi olmadığı kesin. nitekim ben anlatımını güçlü bulamadım. olayları algılamam çok zor oldu. "şu an ne oluyor? niye bunlar birbirlerine böyle bakıyor? bu çocuk niye bu kadar depresif?" diye sorgulamadan edemedim. tabii bu belirsizlik halinin son iki bölümle aniden son bulması nedeniyle üzerimde bir şok etkisi bıraktı dizi. dolayısıyla benim güçlü bulmadığım bu nokta aslında bilinçli tercih edilmiş bir yöntem.
diziyi öne çıkaran bir diğer unsuru ise oyunculuk. bas'ı oynayan kişi gerçekten oldukça iyi bir oyuncu. "until we meet again"deki pharm karakterini oynayan oyuncu gibi travmatik deneyimlerle yüzleşen bir karakteri oynuyor ve duyguyu geçirmek konusunda oldukça başarılı. marco ise fazla konuşan bir karakter değil ama mimikleri anlatmak istediği her şeyi zaten anlatıyor. çok fazla duygusal sahnesini görmedik ama genel anlamda bas gibi onu da bayağı beğendim. diğer oyuncuların ise çok da bahsedecek bir ayrıksılığı olduğunu düşünmüyorum. kötü değiller ama ahım şahım bir oyunculukları da yok. hatta diziyi bas ve marco taşıyor demek bile yanlış olmaz bence.
favori karakterlerim bas ve marco olduğu için ikinci sezonu sabırsızlıkla bekliyorum diyerek bitireyim bu yorumumu.

Leia Mais

Michael is a magnificent actor

The story was incredibly unsettling for many reasons. It wasn’t some outstanding show deserving awards or anything, but it really did shine a light on the BL industry and I feel like there’s a good chance that a lot of it is truth. The main “couple” were not great, acting was so-so. Michael/Bas was so very good, his emotions were spot on, he pulled off looking suicidal/troubled so well. Daniel/Marco was cute and believable , telling the jokes to cheer Bas up was heart warming.

Summary: Michael carried this entire show. He should be doing starring in all of the shows.

Leia Mais

wow, wow, wow.

Okay so, this isn't a review - or yes, but mostly me just ranting about stuff.
This whole work amazed me. The actors were perfect for their characters and Michael (playing Bas) made me cry, laugh and so angry. The actor playing Tee - made me hate him from the bottom of my heart.
As someone who has watched multiple BL series and movies for maybe two years now (over 50 series in total) was terribly uninformed and had no knowledge that the BL industry can be this bad. I knew some of it (like how the actors are not allowed to be in relationships and can't be seen with someone because of rumors) and that alone made me furious, but that sexual harassment is a thing was never something that I expected.
Thank you guys for making this eye-opening series. I look forward to seeing season two, I've heard it's amazing, even better than this one.

- samuel

Leia Mais

It an amazing show, and I don't normally like show's like this!

All of the actors were amazing!
I really loved James and how he treated and listened to the cast and crew of the show. Also, LOVE his hair, it's so long and I really wanna French braid it...
I saw someone say that Ait reminded them of Pete from Love By Chance and I really see that, he ofc has his own personality but he has a little bit of Pete which I find very cute.
Ohhhhhh Bas, my god, I really wanna hug him, I REALLY REALLY want to give him a hug, and Michael did an amazing job of playing him, he really got the feeling through and made me wanna cry, I never wanna cry when watching dramas so that's how I know he did a really good job.
Marco was good, I loved when he spoke English, it was very cute and how he was to my boy Bas was great, I hope they become happy in season 2 and maybe even get together.
NOW THIS MAN TEE. I AM BOUT TO RIP THIS MAN'S WHOLE RIBCAGE OUT, THEN HIS NONEXISTENT HEART OUT! I can not believe him, I will never hate a man more (just wait till I start another show) more than I hate this man. The way he treated all the people that worked for him mainly Bas, but everyone was not treated well, and I... HATE HIM. I have no other words for him, that's it. PERIOD.
All around I thought they did a really good job, normally when a show has a big meaning they don't always make the show you know... like, happy, but they were able to keep the important stuff in, but keep it cute and funny. It really is an amazing show and I can't wait for season 2. 10/10 would watch again :)

Leia Mais

This series is so Under-rated

It needs more stars than it already has, I rarely give out complements y'all. I really love where the series have that indie-ish, sweet, dramatic and realistic plot blended all together. It's more of a "shounen ai(focuses on the sweet part of the relationship between 2 boys)" genre than a "yaoi(focuses on the explicit content in a relationship between 2 boys)". Personally I was kind of getting "Umay (getting sick of)" BL series that are in the University or School setting with their unrealistic effects. I just wish that season 2 goes well because most Thai BL series with S2 was kind of disappointing and failed to meet the expectations of most viewers. The ending was such a cliffhanger so I hope they do well and good in the second season cuz S1 is really good. The only thing that bothers me in is their car scene, wrong lighting and it was kind of obvious that they used green screen. That's why this question lingers inside my head the whole day "Are they not allowed to go outside, in thailand? That they use green screen as a last resort". Anyway, aside from their car scene the whole series was super good. I hope they produce more BL series like this in the future.

Leia Mais

Great starter series

So I'm a big Am Anusorn fan from Present Perfect/Still. I did get to exchange some emails with him (Am A.) during the beginning of the Pandemic and I can tell you he is an awesome human being. A great guy for sure.
Ok so BL series are still new for Am but he is catching on fast with his own style. So the above statement makes more sense thinking about the subject matter right! I know this all came from the heart. Though I was glad that Bas (Michael) got his due in the last episode but it seemed like we left James and Ait in bed together half way through the episode which not ok. Yes leaving them in bed together is ok but not half way thru the episode. Anyway, So it follows that Bas (Michael) is the unsung hero/best actor of the series with best actor/actor going to James (Time) of course he is actually playing Am right?

So who was this story really about. I think it's a combination of 3 BL series with parts of all in it. I'm right? Anyone dare to guess? Message me and I'll tell you what I think.

Definitely some new textures in this BL that I would love to see Am Anusorn do more. Wanting more is a good thing so let's have it!

Leia Mais

One of the Best for 21

This is an astonishingly good BL series that is way too quick for its own good. It simply moved to fast to process its complete story. I wanted more. This is one of the best acted series of 2021 and no doubt THE best BL series from Thailand so far this year. It is, frankly, outstanding. Its caption at the end says that “this series is a dramatization inspired by actual events.” While it is not shocking (since I live in the Los Angeles area and know people in Hollywood and have heard similar stories personally), it was surprising that such a production was made. Kudos and applause for doing this and for exposing the underbelly of what happens in the film industry no matter what county it is produced in.
You can read my full review of this series at BLBliss.com.

Leia Mais

Call It What You Want isn't high production by any means but what it does have is an important message, a great storyline, fantastic actors, as well as a good soundtrack.
The four boys are all very unique and distinct characters, each with their own loveable traits. I feel for Bas, poor thing is going through it and having to third wheel James and Ait as well? Ouch. I really wanted more of Kaprao but that's just because I love him a lot. Marco is a sweetheart.
I'm glad a second season is coming but honestly even though there's no resolution per say, I wouldn't say this is an unsatisfying ending, I liked it exactly as is.
One thing I didn't understand was the need for Ait's jealousy. It just seems unnecessary to me as it doesn't further the plot in any way.

Leia Mais

Based on True Events

This is a pretty good short series - look for Season 2 as well.

All of the actors were amazing!

I really loved James and how he treated and listened to the cast and crew of the show. Also, LOVE his hair. lol Romance was a bit rushed - too short of a series to really develop

I saw someone say that Ait reminded them of Pete from Love By Chance and I really see that, he has his own personality but he has a little bit of Pete which I find very cute. He pulled off being young enough to say thinks like "it's my first kiss" and being jealous - even tho he didn't need to be.

Bas I really want to hug him, and Michael did an amazing job of playing him, he really got the feelings through and made you want to cry for him, especially when he ate that sandwich.

Marco was good, I loved when he spoke English, it was very cute and how he was to Bas was great, made the last episode the mpst memorable.

Of course no one liked tee, myself included, but still have to give the actor credit for playing that part

Low rewatch value for me - too rushed

Leia Mais

Change has got to come

I am a very recent new viewer of the BL genre and from what I have read regarding certain things, situations, and incidents that are and have happened within this industry, I say that some changes need to take place, in the hopes that the genre can grow in an healthy, positive, entertaining way, while STILL being able to make a profit, without it being this huge mind-fuck to the actors that go into this industry, hoping to make it as an professional performer. Now, I don't think it was very smart to have the main couple, Ait (the replacement young actor) and James (the replacement new director), centered in the story, because there is the whole issue of power and position that will be focused on, regardless of the fact that their relationship is a consensual pairing. I do appreciate that the writing established the worries and fears James had in admitting and sharing his feelings for Ait, but I think that pairing shouldn't have been created. What I did like was that the relationship regarding the young actors was based on them establishing a mutual partnership wuth one another. A support system that is needed for them to create the feelings that are vital for them to be able to portray their in love onscreen characters. Now, what I don't get is the need for making these actors live together, being made to stay around each other ALL the time, and the frankly disturbing request of them sharing the same bed. Would this request even be acceptable if we were referring to a male actor and a female actress?!
This series has brought up way too many things that have to be addressed within this industry along with the things that we as viewers within the fanbase have to stop thinking is acceptable, because it's "fantasy"!

Leia Mais

FINALLY A DRAMA THAT TREATS SEXUAL ASSAULT AS A SERIOUS MATTER!!!!

I am going to review both seasons at once because it's a lot more convenient to put all my thoughts together in one review.

Mama, this entire series is a diamond in the rough, but very, *very* rough. So, if you can survive the cringe, you'll realize how good it is as a whole.

~Story:
She really came and said: "FUCK. YOUR. TROPES!" and, you know what? I wholeheartedly love her for that! I think most BL's being released recently are just tired versions of the same tropes repeating over and over again, so a drama that steps out of that box to try and create something new is very much appreciated. For me, at least.
The plot was cleverly written, making you believe it is going to be just a normal love story, but then giving you a huge slap on the face when it exposes what's actually been going on on the other side of the main story line. Everything about this plot is excellent material yet the execution ruins most of it. From the first couple of minutes you realize the show is running on low budget, which leads to hiring questionable actors and their questionable acting. I find this very unfortunate because series like this one are the ones that should get "more," in my opinion.
What I really enjoyed about this series is how raw it was. It did not waste time sugarcoating ANYTHING and allowed you to feel those raw moments and emotions that were important for the understanding of the situations the characters were involved in.

~Cast:
It was... it... you know? It could be better, WAY better than what we got. I'm sure of that.

~James/Ait: Who the hell cares about these two? I feel like they tried to used them as a cheap way to lighten the dark, serious mood in the story. It didn't work. It turned out petty and embarrassing, and they should've been removed. I do understand that they wanted to show different controversies in the industry, but you could tell their story line was fighting a losing battle, yet the writers kept forcing them to take center stage. Everything about them was repelling: the acting, the chemistry, the dialogues, and even the story line itself was out of place.

~Bas: First of all, I know him from Love Sick, so I was happy to see a good ol' familiar face. I have to admit that I was very, VERY impressed by how much his acting skill has grown. Not that he got a lot of screen time in Love Sick to know, but I wasn't really expecting him to be this natural. Despite the cringey over the top car scenes, everything else was pretty believable. You know, acting these kinds of roles is probably quite hard, but he did one hell of a job. Best actor in the series without a doubt.
Being a gay man and also a victim of mild sexual assault myself, I was sold on his role. I did not react in the same way as him, but I was able to understand his fears and despair. I really hope to see more of this actor in future works.

~Marco: He was in between good and bad. I didn't hate his role, but I did wish her was a little more confident. You can see the actor was a little shy and restrained, so his acting didn't come out as believable. I'm gonna give him a passing grade, though, because he did much better than the first two.

~Editing, Pacing, Direction:
If there's someone I gotta give credit to is the editing team. You could tell they did the best they could to put together, what it is, a messy low budget production. I love the transition shots and how cohesive the pacing looks. The show has a solid idea that, unfortunately, lacked money to bring out their full potential. If you ask me, I would LOVE and support a good quality remake of it in the future. This series deals with serious topics in a mature way that is very important for the target audience to understand and learn from.

Sis, this show has everything! Deceiving plot lines, toxic fandom, unspeakable traumas, petty people falling in love, volatile mental health, workplace drama, poor excuses, vomit kinks, and more. Really good plot within a questionable production, but I do recommend it. May not be for the sensitive ones, though. So watch carefully.

Leia Mais