La Cuisine (2022)

Muito fofo!!

Quando vi esse BL, não dei muita coisa por ele, achei uma produção fraquíssima, julguei isso de imediato por causa da imagem que não era tão boa, mas depois supus que poderia ser um problema do local onde eu estava vendo. Também me incomodou o fato do protagonista se chamar Lukchup e ser cozinheiro, achei que fosse uma tentativa de "imitar" Until we meet again. No final acabei me apaixonando pela série. A história é bem clichê, o cara mais cobiçado da escola se apaixona por outro que faz o estilo "fofo", e tem uma menina má tentando impedir a felicidade dos dois. Mas, de clichês sobrevive a nação BLzeira não é?
Quero ressaltar que esse BL tem um dos casais mais saudáveis que já vi. Em nenhum momento soltaram a mão um do outro, e isso também se estende às famílias e amigos dos dois. A vilã faz jus ao título, e gostei da forma como mostraram o porquê dela ser como é, e apesar disso foi feita a justiça (isso raramente acontece) e ela foi presa para pagar por seus crimes. Com a maioria do elenco iniciante, não temos atuações memoráveis, mas já vi outras séries com produções caríssimas que também não tinham, então vou passar esse pano. Na minha opinião faltou uma ost marcante, mas além desse detalhe e da atuação eu não tenho críticas. A série é linda, super soft, todos no final tem desfechos felizes, e realmente fiquei satisfeita. Recomendo a série e assistirei de novo.

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Gave Higher Rating

First, I'm gonna say I gave this a higher rating than MDL recommended in my overall.
Anyway, are you looking for something never before seen? TURN BACK! Are you looking for something with a good story? YOU'RE LOST! Do you enjoy repetitiveness? LOOK NO FURTHER!
It didn't take long before I was forcing myself to get through some of these eps. I don't like to drop series, so I stuck it out but jeez I kinda wasted my time. I really think Thai drama's have kinda run out of BL content cause SO MANY drama's are the same now days. I've seen quite a few involving food, spiteful girls and multiple couples lol Speaking of multiple couples... they threw their stories together so randomly/quickly no one really got any screen time(I even feel like even though there was 13 eps the MC couples relationship was rushed too). Spiteful girls are a staple in the Thai BL industry at this point but ugh this girl really got on my nerves with her crying lmao. LukChup was pretty annoying as well, he was like one of those characters who can't help but cry so unfortunately, I won't recommend; mostly cause nothing stuck out to me with this series
Enjoy...

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What can I even say?

The synopsis of this series is really the main reason why I started it. Cute and simple. When I was introduced to Ram and Lukchup, I actually found thier interactions a bit cute and awkward. Yet, as more and more episodes came out, other aspects of this series annoyed me to no end.

Story-4.5/10
I'm just gonna list out what I like and what I didn't.

What I liked:
☆ Ram and Lukchup's relationship and how it blossomed (to a degree)
☆ Thier families easy acceptance of thier relationship
☆Their friends
☆ The food that was made by Lukchup and his friends
☆ Lukchup's kindness. This character is a better person than me, after all that he went through.

What I didn't like (this is going to be long):
☆ The overplay of the evil 'girlfriend' (they never even dated, mind you). And okay, we know why Namning ended up the way that she did. But still, her character was a just too much
☆ Thirteen episodes of a series that I know could have been told in less episodes
☆ Praying for Paitong and Sky to end up together throughout the WHOLE series, only to actually see them together in the LAST episode! (And that kiss?! Yowzer!)
☆ Time jumps. I don't like time jumps. And it's not just one, but TWO! (One for a month later and one five years later)
☆ I really wasn't invested in Super and his girlfriend as the series really didn't focus on it. They just mentioned it in passing and I was like...meh when it happened.
☆ Bullying. It ain't cool. And the way it escalated. From bullying Lukchup in school. To bullying him online. And then to hiring people to beat him up?!! Like, seriously?!!
☆ Lukchup's kindness. While I liked it, I hated it sooo much! But as I stated earlier, Lukchup's character is a better person than me.

As such, I am graciously giving this storyline a 4.5 out of the kindness of my heart.

Acting/Cast-5.5/10
While I do like the cute and awkwardness of Lukchup and Ram's relationship as well as thier interactions with friends and families, some of these actors acting has been over the top (looking at you, Namning). And because of this, it can really spoil the series. Which it did. So, I'm gonna give a 5.5.

Music-8/10
Without a doubt, truly the only best thing throughout the whole series. I loved hearing it everytime I started this series and this is actually the only thing that I am going to miss about La Cuisine. So, I am giving an 8.

Rewatch Valu-2/10
It was okay the one and only time that I did watch it. I see no need to watch it again. Just saying.

Overall-5/10
Overall, I give this series a 5. I am glad that I gave it a shot and watched it. I am also glad that it is done.

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crush, campus star, bully trigger, best boys, soft & sweet

Look, I am trash for trash, but this was less trashy than most Thai BL pulps. University set about a popular architecture student who is a picky eater and the food science major who has a crush on him and uses food to court him. I COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE. Basically it gave me reason, and room, to breathe by being exactly what I want from a Thai BL with no attempt to be anything else.

I adored the taste-then-cook competition opener. The chef teacher is queer, not just visually but linguistically. Do I spot an actual butch character in a BL? YES! Meanwhile, the seme love interest, P’Ram, is a rich campus moon but also a genuinely nice guy with 2 hot besties. So, sure, we are in hella familiar y-novel territory. But if I were into BL for novelty of it, I wouldn’t be into BL. The older architecture phis with their colorless lives coming up with tricky ways to keep meeting up with the bright sparkly queer food service kids is the CUTEST flipping thing. It’s like watching two friendship groups falling in love with each other.

What is unique about this one is that this pulp has unexpectedly high production values and good quality cast, sound, & wardrobe. Even the het couple is cute. Love the pink hair! What a surprise gem. This season’s Nitiman with a better ending.

Chup being bullied is so sad. But Ram’s “my good boy” is the best, because it’s so true. Honestly, these two are just about the marshmallow fluffy sweetest softest little snookums. I like the external bullying as a narrative pressure, although I wish it hadn’t been combined with the faen fatale. I wish this show had just taken shipping culture to task.

I enjoyed La Cusiine but it is awful slow. Thank goodness GaGa has 1.5x speed option. It also takes the faen fatale archetype to the next level of extreme evil. Everyone got a cute couple ending, even characters I didn’t really recognize, couldn’t remember, or showed no chemistry. But hey, shrug. Also, Sky & Phai = unexpectedly great kiss.

Why did we not get their thread (and Kitty’s for that matter) throughout the show? It would’ve helped with the pacing a lot. (Honestly, these two actors probably should’ve played the leads, IMHO).

In the end, a sweet and kind of pure show, and like Thai desserts perhaps requires too much patience for a layperson. Because of the pacing and the focus on the bad girl character, I did dock it. But if you like stuff in the Oxygen vein, then this show is for you, and far better than most Thai BL pulps. That said, I suspect that I enjoyed it more than many would.

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La Méchante Femme

Overall: I was hoping to see a sweet rom com with cute guys and cooking, but after the first few episodes this took an unwanted dark/serious turn. It spent waayyy too much time on an overused cliche instead of developing romantic relationships. Watching on Gagaoolala.

Content Warnings: attempted murder, severely beaten up, slapped, cyberbullying, harassment, body shaming, manhandling, non con kiss (sleeping), non con taking pictures/posting, threatening with a gun

What I Liked
- the intro/title sequence was fun
- I liked Lukchup's and Ram's friend groups
- the cute and funny moments
- the food looked delicious

Room For Improvement
- the cliche evil wannabe girlfriend dragged on waaaayyyyy too long, 10 full minutes of crying in the final episode. She did get some consequences but nearly enough for what she did.
- Lukchup's lack of agency - he couldn't go see Ram in the hospital when he wanted, everyone was constantly meeting and making plans without him, he felt too childlike
 - non logical things like Lukchup and Ram's family having a bunch of money but they didn't think to hire security for Lukchup? Why didn't both Ram and Lukchup run back to the building? Why did they need to collect sooooo much evidence before contacting the police, that's what the police investigation does... The police just have a nice tea while the criminal could be running away and/or destroying evidence??? 
- didn't like the social media fan page of a regular college student and people lining up to take pictures with him, it creeps me out
- the ending where multiple relationships were just shoved together at the last minute. Also the second time jump felt like lazy writing. I wish they had spent the time on the relationships and not on Namning.

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I liked it MOSTLY

I did enjoy this show mostly... I liked the story, the characters, the chemistry....mostly. It was a sweet story at first. The crush, the meeting, the flirting. Then it took a dark turn. This was fine mostly.

The story was good but rushed at points and really slow at others. It was cute with the crush and flirting but it became more about bullying. I did not mind that BUT it took over the show and they made Lukchub look like he had the emotional capacity of a 10 year old. Everyone was way to protective if him. It really irked me at times.

Overall I liked the story I just wasnt expecting the turn it took.

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It's all in the eyes

I LOVE IT! So first of all I love concept of the this series. Its sweet and beautiful love story. The chemistries between the couples and group of friends are strong. I personally love the flow of the story, the events and scenes are not moving too fast, it's flows smoothly.
Just like the title, it's all about cuisines, a love story that starts with foods prepared and cooked by the main lead and a popular senior who belongs in a rich family. The story continues that will focus on the impacts of being popular in social media, cyber bullying, jealousy turns into crazy actions.
I think this series depicts on real life situation of famous people and even ordinary people facing hates in social media, that even if it's just a simple comment, it will have a strong impact to the victims.

Love the characters and actors in this series. I'm just disappointed because I'm actually looking forward to the love team of sky and phatong, they do have a strong chemistry and I'm just disappointed because they only reveal it in last episode . I just hope they have some new series or a season 2 for their story.

ITS ALL IN THE EYES, because the main leads are acting with eyes, they portray their words and actions sincerely with their eyes. I Love it!

PLEASE MORE SERIES FOR SKY AND PHATONG

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Another Filler Thai BL Series

I think I've found a title for Thai BL Series that follows a very plain and ordinary plot with mediocre/bad acting and an appealing, yet idiotic romance: Filler Bls. Yep. It's yet another one to add to the collection of the "Did we really need this?" pile. But truthfully, what was this show's purpose in existence? Why did someone fill the need to tell this story? But I won't nag too much, because if it was so awful, then why not just drop it? And yet, I still can't find the answer, because, indeed, this is a filler BL, but indeed, I will still tune in to watch the clownery unfold. La Cuisine was a thriller ride that started off as, "I think I'm enjoying this" to wondering if I should've started it in the first place.

Let's Dive In.

La Cuisine is another food BL that stars Lukchub as this very shy and giddy chef who meets the rich and popular college student Ram. Basically, nothing happens in-between them getting together, and then all chaos ensues with a girl that brings about so much drama for absolutely zero reasons.

I won't lie, during the beginning of LC, I was intrigued. for a moment, I really did like LukChub's shyness and how Ram had to do the bare minimum to make him blush. I thought their build-up was okay, The date episode was where I think I finally caved in and thought they were pretty sweet. However, I couldn't really understand why or how Ram came about liking LukChub (outside of his food) because his personality is very unappealing. He hides his face anytime he can, he looks to the floor when speaking to him, was way too damn naive, and sometimes he has to have his friends talk for him to Ram. Maybe Ram is into submissive men? It was cute for a minute, and then after a while, it was disturbing that a grown man can't talk to his crush accordingly or without looking like he's going to crap himself. And it only gets worse when they get together. For one, they get no canon kiss outside of the last few minutes of the last episode that was more so a daydream-type scene. Yes, because two grown men who have been dating have zero desire to kiss..? I'm usually fine without kiss scenes, in most series I can understand the reason why not, but there was no reason here, and we got something or other in the end, so why not just put it in the series where a kiss would make sense? Like them becoming boyfriends? Or when they're out on the date? Anyways, the chemistry was very faint, half the time we got some awkward staring and uncomfortable silence. The height difference was pretty cute, the only thread holding me onto this series.

Now, onto the plot. We get some very annoying not-even-an-ex-girlfriend who tries to sabotage the main leads' relationship for, again, no real reason. She think Ram is cute? Cool, so does the entire school. They try to give us her sob story and even after seeing this, again, there are still zero reasons for her psychopathic actions. Even for Ram to keep up with her after all she did to him and LukChub is such a red flag in my eyes, as well as Lukchub just being extremely gullible and naive with not wanting to press charges or anything. I skipped most of her scene during the last few episodes, because who cares? In fact, after episode 8, I put this entire series into fast-forward mode because none of it was necessary. But what really took the cake was the damn fan page for Ram. Who walks around day and night trying to continuously let others know about his life? And how come Ram hasn't tried getting a restraining order or suing them? Thai series have got to drop this trope of having fan pages and crazy fan girls/boys. And while there at it, stop trying to put in a random jealous female character to add on conflict just because they're isn't any without her. It's so redundant and annoying.

The side characters were okay, but I more so liked Pang and Kitty. All the other characters were unnecessary or just there to be there. Paitong was a mess, either admit you like Luckchub or move on. Super was nuisance, and so were Ram's friends. They get everyone together in the last episode, which I could get around to if they gave these side characters the time of day. And the fact that Paitong and Sky made out before Ram and Lukchub? How does that make logical sense?

Rating:

Story: 6.5 - The beginning of the series was more enjoyable than the last, where they throw in some very out-of-the-blue drama. the crazy jealous girl plot is so fucking irritating, the romance of the main leads is just not there, and the plot is pretty much nonexistent without Namning.

Acting: 7.5 - Decent, and mediocre at best. Namning (although I hated her), Kitty, and Pang were the better ones. Someone should've rewritten the script so they could accommodate the fact that Mick can't cry, and it's embarrassing when it's implied he was supposed to be. Pop is more such just a cute face, but his acting is dead, and so was Boom's. The rest of them were just okay.

Music: 6 - Catchy. The only thing that wasn't off about this series.

Rewatch value: 1 - no

This series seriously had potential, especially in the beginning. But the acting, or more so the script, is really what puts this series off. I don't recommend it unless anyone is looking for something pretty light to watch (in some aspects). This will for sure be forgotten about soon.

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Bland and lacks both flavor and filling

Even the writers felt Lukchup and Ramin don't have the energy to sustain the full 14 episodes as they focused way too much on the over the top bully and her psychological and physical torment on Lukchup, evoking the dated drama trope where the lead is a helpless doormat until the end. While it's nice his family, friends, and boyfriend rally to help him, he never steps up to help them help him in any significant way. They should have developed Sky and Paitong as the secondary story, they're a fiery, mature contrast to Lukchup and Ramin's slowburn relationship instead of suddenly throwing them in the final episode. The acting was so-so, the music was okay, and watching this drama once is more than enough.

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Cute and worth watching, but a little messy.

The first four or five episodes of this are unusually delightful, with painfully shy culinary student Lukchup and his friends vs his crush, the popular senior architecture student and picky eater Ram and his friends. All of them are nice people and their interactions are cute and dynamic.

The architects repeatedly find excuses to have lunch with the chefs, in sort of a take on Sheherezade but with cooking instead of storytelling. It's really sweet and well-written, with hints of attractions outside the main couple, and I could easily have watched 13 episodes of that and not gotten bored.

Unfortunately, a huge amount of screentime is devoted to the scheming of the wannabee-girfriend and a campaign of very serious bullying. While this plotline is decently handled and the good-guys aren't complete idiots like they usually are and deal with the situation intelligently, it felt a little like a completely different show. There's the main BL, with, shall we kindly say, "understated" acting against the bullying storyline and the lakorn acting of the villainess. She's quite good and convincingly loathesome, but it's just too overpowering for a series like this.

The external threat wasn't at all necessary as there were plenty of characters and relationships to explore. Lukchup is painfully cute, and Ram is handsome enough, but their relationship is so chaste that eventually it becomes awkward and unbelievable, especially as the popular secondary couple Sky & Phai go from 0 to "let's go to my place and f@#$" in 15 seconds (They actually do say this, albeit in euphemisms). The main pair actors are apparently not planning to be professional actors, and it shows with their total unwillingness to do anything gay (even a fujoshi fantasizing about them doesn't have them so much as kiss) whereas the guys playing Sky and Phai seriously commit and provide what could have been red-hot if there had been any setup.

Likewise, it's hinted that Lukchup's handsome older brother and his super-hot manager are involved, but this is never explored, and there are two het and one BL couple that use up a chunk of the finale. One of these couples is cute and does have a bit of time throughout the series, but their progression is rather sudden at the end.

If they had stuck with the earlier structure and explored the interactions and developing relationships of the two groups, this would have been a better series. As is, it's messy and the later episodes are things you just want to get through to reach the end.

I can recommend this, because I got real enjoyment from it, but I did do a lot of fast-fowarding in the later episodes. The ending is satisfying but underwhelming.

Story: 8. This is high, but the beginning is really good, and even though I didn't like the evil-female storyline, it was well-written and the good-guys are not clueless and handle it well. The OTT effeminate gay character is not played just for laughs (and is really good-looking), and immdiately sees through the villainess.

Acting: 6. As typical of Thai BL, the understated style prevents unskilled actors from being embarassing, but there aren't any standouts either. Many of them do a great job of being cute. I'll leave it at that.

Music: Better than average, and very catchy.

Rewatch: I would and probably will rewatch the initial episodes, which I would probably have rated a 9-9.5.

Overall: 7.5 - but if I could split the series, 9 for the first half, 6 for the second half.

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Great Moral Arc

There is a great moral arc to this story but the characters were simply not real. If you are looking for any sense of deep connection with the main characters, then move in. It is NOT bad acting; just a bad script. You have a main couple who lack any kind of deep connection to each other. Sure there are cute stares, and magical moonbeams but no hint of any real attraction to each other. There was not even a kiss so therefore how can there be love. This story could have been a good one but fell short. But there is a support role here that is just phenomenal. You can read my full review at BLBliss.com. She was simply brilliant.

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One of the sweetest BL series ever if you can ignore its flaws

There is plenty to like about this BL series. The BL parts are done in a way I love. The main characters, Ram and Lukchub, are lovable, and I didn’t quite mind the relatively slow development. (This is one of those BL series in which I don't find myself partial to one half of the main couple. Both the characters who form the main couple are attractive and lovable.) Each of them also has good friends who are wonderful people. Yet, perhaps the series is a little too bland because of this. I like it that Ram is characterized as a popular guy who is kind and friendly, a departure from a more typical portrayal of a cold, bossy male lead who is loved despite behaving like a jerk. However, for a few episodes, it’s not clear where the series is heading.

The main source of tension eventually comes from this jealous woman who is in love with Ram. But her villainy, together with the acting, is over-the-top. (It may not be the fault of the actress. I think she has been instructed to act like some deranged villain, and the script doesn’t really allow for much nuance.) This woman is basically the one character that allows La Cuisine to have a story and yet, she is also a little out of place in the series.

There is some foreshadowing in the earlier episodes, but it is not very well done. It’s not clear why Ram’s friends and even his sister keep warning him not to hurt Lukchub intentionally or unintentionally. It’s not like Ram is the type of person who toys with other people’s feelings. He doesn’t flirt with all the women who are interested in him, and we only see him having a soft spot for Lukchub–he even tells Lukchub’s grandmother that he does not have an ex. Their warnings do foreshadow some events later, but there seems to be no good reason for them.

When Lukchub gets bullied after becoming Ram’s boyfriend, I’m not sure why some characters blame Ram or expect him to be able to prevent it from happening again. It’s not as though it is within his control that some jealous person tries to hurt his boyfriend. The scenes occasionally also don’t flow well, such as when Lukchub’s brother looks like he is about to confront Ram but in the next scene, he’s merely visiting Lukchub. (I’m guessing his manager stopped him from being impulsive, but it’s not directly shown.

In the end, the BL keeps me going. It’s so sweet but never to the extent of being sickening or cringy (at least for me). Despite the lack of an impressive plot, I find myself wanting more of Ram and Lukchub. I’m sad that La Cuisine has ended and that not many people seem to like it. It’s one of those BL series that gives me the feel that I love, never mind the only okayish plot. I'm also sad because, while I may watch technically better BLs, it will probably be a long time before another couple leaves me with the sweetness Ram and Lukchub have left me.

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