I Will Hit You (2022)

It becomes a great series after the first six episodes or so

I feel like splitting this series in two parts for this review (the first six episodes and the last six) because I had a very different impression from each part. While I did end up enjoying the series a lot and I believe it deserves this 9 out of 10 I chose as my rating, I still need to express a complete opinion about it.

Overall, the story has an interesting premise, but the first six episodes were not able to give it a proper start. The pace of the events feels way too slow, and the dynamics between characters are off as well.
Noey was portrayed well and caught my attention enough to keep me watching for more episodes, but Thi's characterization was handled very badly, showing some backbone for about ten seconds per episodes and then turning back to his shy, fearful and goofy self - and I don't mean it in a good way.
These first six episode could have been useful to put more emphasis on Thi's characterization and the dynamics between Noei, Thi, their friends and their families, but instead they seemed mostly full of nothing. I felt like they could have been cut down to three episodes with a better pace.

Starting from the ending of the sixth episode, the events and the dynamics get a lot better, and this is also where the series starts shining bright. Thi also earns his own proper characterization and starts showing his own presence next to Noey, making their moments together a lot more enjoyable and endearing to watch. The way the feelings of both are portrayed along the way was also beautiful and left no room for any annoying "will they, won't they?" as the episodes went by.
The groups of friends were also shown much better, especially Noey's gang, with Thiw as a special mention. The "bad boy" element was not just used as a fancy aesthetic and multiple elements of that life were taken into consideration for the plot, which I really appreciated.

A very memorable series, I highly recommend it!

Leia Mais

I will knock you? Yes, please!

I wasn't really sure what to expect from the series. I was mostlly worried how were they going to pull of the age gap between Thi and Noey, a university student and a minor who is still in high school. In the end, I really enjoyed the fact that Noey was the more badass one while Thi was sweet and shy. I think this really helped push their relationship into a good direction. We can see a lot of growth from both of them, as well as all the support characters.

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers stories and this one delivered. The differences between the main two characters are very interesting and it's an absolute joy watching them grow as individuals and as a couple. It was fun and interesting to see Noey and his bright coloured shirts, slicked hair and love for old music, in contrast to Thi and his absolutely adorable sweaters, bursts of courage and inner monologues.

The fact that Noey, who is younger, is the one in control of the relationship really hits different. I really appreciate how the makers of the series aproached its making, especially after I found out that the two actors have a 9 year gap in real life, with Tar (who played Noey) still being a minor during the filming. Also, hats off for absolutely brilliantly done end credits scene that was on point for every single episode. The ending was absolute perfection as well.

We get some cute and fluffy moments, some awkward romantic scenes, a few fight scenes and a bunch of comedic scenes. It had some cringe scenes, but what series doesn't? It's definitely a show that will keep your spirits up and make you laugh out loud.

Leia Mais

Noey's character really carried this series

This is a story about a cowardly tutor who meets a quirky gang leader.

The first 2 episodes or so were a little over-the-top, but when Thi eventually starts tutoring Noey and the pair start spending more time with each other, that’s when I Will Knock You’s magic begins.

Noey and Thi’s developing relationship brings with it a pleasant warmth. The standard structure of BLs these days features some form of intimacy scene at the halfway mark. Not IWK, though, as physical contact is few and far between. Not this show, though. And it doesn’t need to – well-written love stories do not need to rely on love scenes to convey romance.

Thi’s interactions with Noey, who is just so quirky and charismatic as a character, carry the series to its full potential. All in all, the show was a breath of fresh air with interesting characters and a well-paced storyline.

Bonus points for its vintage-sounding OST!!

Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/05/i-will-knock-you-2022-bl-review/

Leia Mais

Quirky but cute and lovable

The starting of the series strikes me as being a little strange. Is it a story set in the 1990s or something? The setting and the set seem rather quaint. It wasn't until smartphones were featured and some explanation of Noey is emulating people from his father's generation that I started realizing that the story is set in contemporary Thailand.

And then we have Noey behaving like someone with multiple personality disorder and different personalities surface at different times. Sometimes the way he behaves is baffling. While somewhat explained, the quirkiness of Noey's character doesn't really seem all that purposeful. I mean, why doesn't he get a smartphone or something? But perhaps it's what makes this series special?

Once I got over the oddness, I found the series pretty engaging. There are a lot of funny scenes, but some might take issue with how it trivializes (or even glamorizes) gang violence at times.

I like it that the series doesn't take the sappy route, with Thi having feelings for Noey, who is going after a girl at first, and going all lovesick. To be sure, Thi does find himself attracted to Noey but his feelings are ambiguous. It can be both a good and bad thing that it's hard to tell where the series is headed, if anywhere at all. Sometimes it feels episodic, but somehow it kept me watching maybe because it doesn't take too much effort to watch and enjoy.

The series does become better after Noey decides to hit on Thi instead of going after the girl he is at first interested in. Although it feels a little random , the turn in the plot marks the point where the series gets more interesting. But it may take some quite a bit of patience before getting there.

Leia Mais

A Fun, Lighthearted, And Wholesome Drama

Let me start by saying 'I Will Knock You' is a fun, lighthearted, and wholesome drama. I like that the drama wasn't overly serious. There were some comedic moments in the drama that cracked up. Also, there were some iconic moments in the drama. I will not mention the iconic moments because I don't want to spoil the drama for you guys.

Some of the characters were weirdly wholesome. The lead actors' chemistry was cute and wholesome. There were some wholesome and lighthearted moments between the main actors/main couple that made me giddy. I have to say something about the main actors/main couple's awkward staring. I thought their awkward staring was oddly adorable. I think some of the actors and actresses acting were pretty cringey but also pretty casual.

Out of all the episodes, the last episode (episode 12) was my favorite. The episode was sweet and wholesome. I must say, the overall drama was fun to watch and pretty entertaining.

Leia Mais

Messy at first but ended solidly

Tears were running down my face as I finished this series.

My mind can't process the abnormal conversations and behavioral responses of the characters. The awkward comedy executions, the exaggerated acting and overlength shallow scenes left me thin-lipped while watching the initial episodes. Unnecessary scenes allotted too much time and wasted the earlier episodes. The sick dance moves of Thi are the only interesting and memorable scene. My mother woke up at 11PM last night because I laughed so hard while watching him.

I kept on watching with a frown face until I reached episode 6 and that's when the real show began. I really appreciate the main characters' fluffy relationship. Most of all, I applaud everyone who gave one of the greatest and most solid character developments (Noey's) of all time. I almost cried when I am watching him to be the best version of himself. The other characters, who actually stay the same and have no improvement until the end, become the polishing tools to make him the shiniest diamond. His character matched with remarkable acting brings out the potential of this series. The incorporation of the 50's-90's vibes to Noey's personality really gives off a pleasant retro vibe. I really like the use of old songs and instruments as background music.

Upon checking the main leads' background details, I was quite surprised by the age gap they have which is almost 10 years. Nonetheless, they have great chemistry. Hope to see them again together in the next-coming dramas. Disregarding the messy gang scenes (which could've been better if they really acted like a proper gang, not a bunch of clowns), this series is a must-watch.

Watchable and 80% well-executed.

(PS: I don't like the title. )

Leia Mais

Walking the fine line...

...between cringy and funny and never stepping on the wrong side! I Will Knock You is such a fun series, unexpected, different and yet so nice!

What I liked:
- Noey: the character and the actor
- his mother & sister & his friends
- the music and the cinematography and final credits' dance
- internal monologues (they spend a lot of time looking at each other but not saying anything out loud!)
- Bom, the actor playing Thi (he does look korean...)

What I did not like:
- nonsense title
- the lack of chemistry
- the usual disapproving parents(think Bad Buddy...) and other drama tropes in the last two episodes
- Thi, the character, a wuss
- last two episodes

Noey is a 16 yr old high schooler, smart, brave, bold, brash, honest and a bit of a thug, leader of a gang with a style and taste stuck in the 80s!. He keeps pursuing a girl from another class. The girl's tutor Thi, witnesses him being rejected by her. Thi is a third year university student, sweet, calm, smart, lacking courage and wits and keeps hearing scary stories about Noey and therefore is shaking with fear every time they meet. And they keep on bumping into each other rather frequently so much so that Noey starts believing that Thi has a crush on him and magnanimously decides to like him back.

Tar, the actor playing Noey is only 18 but he is so flamboyantly talented: he succeeded in the feat of playing a silly character without ever making him ridiculous. Amazing! Bom, playin This, is on the other hand 28 but he looks much younger than Tar . He is as cute as a button, pretty and frail looking and manages to convey the weak and silly and cowardly character that is Thi.
The problem is, even though these two actors are rather good (Tar is better than Bom), there is no chemistry, no sparks fly between them and their love story is unconvincing. Understanding Noey character, it looks like he decided that he was going to fall in love with Thi whether he really has any feelings or not! For him it was a challenge! The series takes place over about a year and a half and nothing happens between them: they keep seeing each other, Thi tutoring Noey, Noey giving Thi rides to school: that felt more like a bromance, a friendship. There was never going to happen anything anyway since Noey is underage(which he keeps stressing every time he tries to kiss Thi and is interrupted!) !

Noey was surrounded by a great group of people: a no nonsense mother, a cool as a cucumber sister and a varied cast of characters in the gang.

The story was interesting for about 10 episodes: it was so funny to watch Noey and Thi's interactions, Noey strutting around and Thi shaking in his panties with fear every time he saw him. But it was original! The styling of Noey was the best I have ever seen in a BL. The music he listened to (that song Destiny will be stuck in my head for a long time! A classic!), how he dressed, and the way he refused modern technology! The cinematography is also special: the filming location were new, looked real, people were real their lives were real. Usual BL is a slick story of rich students! This is not one such series!

Sometimes halfway through, the producers decided to throw in some usual drama tropes in this case, another guy interested in Thi. Nothing pans out there because Thi had already fallen for Noey! But the writes went all guns blazing and throwing tropes at us at an amazing speed in the last two episodes: Thi's parents come for a visit, disapprove of Noey and decide to take Thi back home after graduation. Thi says nothing and just obeys his parents! So the boys break up but Noey think it is a nonsense so he goes up to Chiang Mai and they make up and continue their long distance relationship (in after final credits scenes!) for 5 more years when they finally kiss with Thi acting all flustered and surprised! And his parents are apparently still ignorant of this relationship! We could have done without all these drama tropes: it was neither fun nor funny. These last two episodes were disappointing and ridiculous! They managed to ruin a bit this such original story!

But I still rate it high because this is a series that came out of nowhere and I succumbed to its brutish charm! The surprising part of every episode is a sweet dancing scene during the final credits and the subtle changes in it in every episode: so watch it to the last second, you will not regret it!

I had so much fun watching this series and if it had not been for the two last episodes, I'd probably want to rewatch it!

Leia Mais

Real Life Age Gap yet...

My headline is for people who rated this series based on a dead fish kiss. These actors are practically 10 years apart and at the time of filming Tar was 17 now to me this not an issue but alot of people said they better not kiss (due to real life age difference) Tar was excellent in this series. He gave a solid performance as a teen newbie actor. He blew everyone in 2MTA out of the water.

The story is simple yet complex. Noey is a high school gang leader stuck in the past. My take was he lost his father early in his life. His father was a gangster and he wanted to emulate him. He felt he needed to be the man of the house and take care of his mother and sister. He did this by instilling fear into everyone that dare cross his path. But in reality he was mush on the inside which is where he hid all of his feelings and emotions.

Until he met Thiwa. He fell hard for a college tutor but he couldn't show it so he came off as bully. He could really deny Thiwa nothing even though he wanted him to fear him. He created these feelings that Thiwa had for him while keeping his own feelings guarded and pursuing a girl that didn't want pursuing.

When he finally decided to be open he went full tilt. He showed his feelings in front of his gang, his mother, his sister and Thiwa's friends with no shame.
Noey was authentic. While Thiwa developed feelings as well he was left silent because he was falling for a young teen. It's like he felt it was wrong so he seemed indifferent. He basically allowed things to happen without participation.
These are just my take on this series.
At the end is where Thiwa's feelings showed. His parents behind his back called Noey and told him he had to future and to stay away from their son. Noey this pain and tells Thiwa he was nothing but a Pam replacement and he would go back to flirting with Pam. He did this for Thiwa as his own heart was breaking.
But in the end being true to himself and the words he spoke to Thiwa he pursued him and the truth came out. Noey became a better person. A better student. And a college graduate.
Saying I am worth it. I do have a future. And it's because of someone who took a chance and never gave up on me. And he asked for Thiwa's hand in marriage and herein is where the kiss came in. It was not a passionate kiss but the point was made.

Leia Mais

Sweet as Sugar!

This is going up there with 2gether and Still 2gether. Super sweet with little to no PDA (not that I have a problem with sweet kisses or anything). You could literally watch the actors get more comfortable with each other with each passing episode. I enjoyed the age difference (and how it almost matches with reality) and the waiting that goes with such a gap.

I enjoyed the clueless, straightforwardness of Noey's character and the fearful courage of Thi's character. I've never said this before but watch the end credits of each episode...there's a point to them believe it or not! :-) Finally, the ending was super cute and tied everything up very neatly (which I love).

Leia Mais

FULL ON ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE

Have you watched I WILL KNOCK YOU yet? If not, do watch it.

Trust me on this. I will knock you is one of the best BL shows out there, specially among the recent ones. I honestly did not have much expectations when I decided to watch it. The actors are new and it kinda seemed to have a cliche school/college based romance tropes. But hell! I was so wrong! I ain't gonna say that the story is very unique, but the way they present it, the set, the "retro" theme, the shooting locations...these gave a lot of vibrance and a beautiful ethnic vibe to the entire show.
So, it's a story between a younger rowdy boy (who's definitely very handsome and cute) who is a "gangsta" ( but I swear he is such a cutie... I totally loved his soft side and his smile is so heartwarming! ) and an older college student who is a scaredy cat (I won't lie, there were times when I was pissed seeing him being such a timid ass, but I guess that's how the character is supposed to be). I won't spoil it for you guys. All I would say is, it's a total entertainment package. I didn't get bored until the very end. Plus, its one of those series which doesn't depend on steamy scenes to make it entertaining. A light, heartwarming show. Oh, and the ending was one of the best endings out there. I loved how the ending was not very unrealistic yet happy. Plus, there's a cute couple dance at the end credits of every episode. That's something I've never seen before anywhere! I would definitely say Noey stole my heart away. They are new BL actors and it seems like the series is not as popular as it should be. So, as a BL lover, I am sharing this, so that you too can enjoy this cute series.

Leia Mais

loved it. very unique story

Honestly, i loved the way this story came out.
at first i thought it was a bit odd but it was funny so i continued to watch it. As I kept watching it the show got better and better and i started to get hooked by the 8th episode loving almost all the characters.

This story is unique, and I've never seen a bl like this. the chemistry and dynamic between the main leads were so good I was so excited for each episode that I was watching. The last episode is honestly my favourite because of the way they patched things up and it was just so cutejdjsd. Thiw and noeys mom are both so iconic istg they make the story so funny and I was laughing throughout the whole show.

This series brings you a lot of joy and happiness, although I know some people might not like it based on there preferences but for me this shows a solid 10/10

Leia Mais